Resting Kobe Bryant Key to L.A. Lakers' NBA Playoff Push

There’s one key for any success the Los Angeles Lakers may have during a possibly lengthy playoff run, and that’s the health of Kobe Bryant.

Bryant has missed the Lakers' past two games, in which they went 1-1, and according to the Los Angeles Times has already been ruled out for tomorrow’s game with a shin injury.

While now is not a good time to have your superstar watching in street clothes, it makes perfect sense for the team to give Bryant as much rest as he needs to ensure that he’s as close to 100 percent as he can get before the playoffs begin.

It’s tough for the Lakers who are fighting to hold onto their 1.5 game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers for the Pacific Division lead. Six of their final eight games come against teams that are currently in the playoff picture and the Lakers are going to have to come away with more than a few wins along the way.

But rushing Bryant back won’t help. It’s been a long year filled with injuries and bumps and bruises for the star shooting guard ever since the start of the preseason. The last thing Lakers coach Mike Brown needs right now is for Bryant to come back and re-aggravate something and be at less than full strength heading into the postseason.

The playoffs have been the time of year where Bryant usually shines. How do you think he will fare if Kobe enters an opening round series completely fresh for once?

He and the Lakers as a team could be in store for big things.

I would much rather take my chances with a healthy and energized Bryant instead of a banged up guy fighting to get through every game.

Even if it means dropping a couple of games the rest of the season, the Lakers could benefit in the long run by keeping Bryant in street clothes until he feels healthy.

Bring him back a couple games before the regular season ends and see how far he can lead this team.

Any playoff run this season depends on Bryant being healthy. It’s a no-brainer that the Lakers take their time with him right now.