There is no one more dedicated than the Black Mamba.
The Press-Enterprise: Kobe Bryant remained on the court well after the Lakers’ practice Thursday, shooting. And shooting. And shooting.
Bryant was 2 for 10 from the field in Wednesday’s 98-95 exhibition win over Sacramento in Las Vegas, and is 4 for 28 — a .143 shooting percentage — in the three exhibitions. But that wasn’t what prompted the extra shooting work.
“I’ve been doing it,” Bryant said. “I normally do it before practice, here three and a half, four hours before practice. Today I wanted to make sure my legs were fresh for the scrimmage, so we did it after practice instead.”
As he works his way back into form after offseason arthroscopic surgery to clean up a troublesome right knee, Bryant said he’s not frustrated by his shooting to date.
“I don’t think it’s ever been frustrating,” he said. “I understand it’s a process. I’ve been through it before. It’s all natural to me.”
Coach Phil Jackson couldn’t recall having a star player struggle to a similar extent in a previous training camp, be it with the Bulls or Lakers, but seemed unconcerned.
“He’s playing without being quite ready,” Jackson said. “He’s trying to get some of it in game situations without having the ability to practice and do all the things that lead up to that.”
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