National Basketball Association

Report: Fewer minutes for Kobe at start

Published Oct. 20, 2010 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Wednesday that star guard Kobe Bryant will play fewer minutes than he has become accustomed to at the start of the NBA season as he continues his recovery from offseason knee surgery, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Bryant, who has averaged 39.3 minutes a game over the past six seasons -- and 38.8 last campaign -- will be used very cautiously by Jackson early on, although the number of minutes has not been specified.

"I don't anticipate he's going to be playing heavy-minute games to start the season," Jackson said. "We'll have to find a pattern out there so he has the greatest influence in the amount of minutes he can [play]."

Bryant has struggled in the preseason, shooting only 27.3 percent and averaging 19.5 minutes in six games.

"I'm not that concerned about his shot as I am just about having an overall ability to play with the kind of energy he wants to play with," Jackson added.

"His shot will come as soon as that happens. He's the best caretaker I've ever seen of his own physique."

The reigning champion Lakers open the new season Tuesday against the Houston Rockets.