Byron Scott Says Kobe Bryant Could Play Power Forward in 2015-16 Season

Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has been the NBA's pre-eminent shooting guard for much of his career, but a change could be in store for the future Hall of Famer in 2015-16.

Lakers head coach Byron Scott told NBA.com's David Aldridge that the Black Mamba is likely to see at least some time at power forward this season:

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Kobe can play one, two and three. There's no doubt in my mind. And there's some games, against some teams, where he'll probably play four. With his tenaciousness, the way he guards people and when his mind is set, if I say, 'Kobe, you've got him,' he takes that as a challenge. You know how he is. He'll compete.

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Even if power forward isn't Bryant's full-time position during the upcoming campaign, Scott sees him playing plenty of small forward as well, with guards D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams already on the roster, per Aldridge:

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If we don't get another guard, then Kobe's in that mix. I'm kind of going through those scenarios. But not necessarily as far as who's starting and who doesn't. ... I think (Bryant) will play more three than two. If we can get him at the elbows and at the mid-post, the more effective he'll be. I don't think he needs to be using up the whole 94-foot floor. If we can cut that down some, I think that saves his legs as much as possible. But if we can get him where he operates best, which to me is elbows on each area, top of the key, at the pinch post, at the mid-post, then I think he can be real effective for us.

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While the thought of Kobe playing some power forward may seem odd considering the fact that the NBA's No. 3 all-time leading scorer has done most of his damage at shooting guard, it could prove to be an effective strategy.

Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk explained how the move could work: 

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If the Lakers are playing the Toronto Raptors and they’ve gone small with DeMarre Carroll at the four, the Lakers can match that with Kobe. Same with the Wizards if they go small and slide Jared Dudley to the four. Orlando if they go small with Tobias Harris at the four. There are matchups where this could work for the Lakers — not for long stretches, playing against bigger guys would take a toll on Kobe’s body, but for 5-10 minutes it could work.

However, notice all the teams noted above are in the East. The problem is that in the West most of the teams have fours Kobe would simply not be able to match defensively — Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, Serge Ibaka (or the Thunder go small with Kevin Durant), LaMarcus Aldridge, Zach Randolph, Dirk Nowitzki, Draymond Green, and the list goes on. The West is simply a different animal with the forward spots.

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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr's decision to go small in the NBA Finals turned the tide of the series in favor of the Dubs and allowed them to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games, with Andre Iguodala earning MVP honors.

The Lakers need to play to the strengths of their roster, and after going 21-61 last season, there is no reason Scott shouldn't consider any and all strategies for 2015-16.

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