Lakers' Byron Scott 'shocked' Bryant's decision to retire

Currently playing in his 20th NBA season, Kobe Bryant announced that he will retire in the end of the season. The writing has been around the wall for Bryant for fairly some time, in particular considering the fact that he has suffered season-ending injuries during the last 3 seasons. Bryant has hinted at retiring several instances but his choice to hang it up caught Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott by surprise.

Speaking with reporters on Sunday (go to buy mt nba 2k16) night, Scott mentioned that he essentially knew about Bryant's selection on Saturday evening, a entire day ahead of the future Hall-of-Famer's actual announcement.(click here to buy buy 2K16 MT)  by Kobe

Byron mentioned Kobe was very substantially at peace with his selection to retire immediately after the season when they talked last evening.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 30, 2015

"Sad. We talked about it last evening. I told him it kind of shocked me when he told me," Scott told reporters. "I think he still loves this game. He still has a passion for it. He's still a competitive young man."

Scott did clarify that Bryant will finish the season ahead of retiring.

Scott reiterates that Bryant's goal is to play this full season: "His purpose is to finish out this season and play."

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 30, 2015

Averaging 15.7 points this season, Bryant has struggled shooting the ball this season. He is shooting 31.5 percent from the field and 19.5 percent from 3-point range. Despite Bryant's struggles, Scott has stuck by him, relying around the Lakers guard perhaps more so than needed.

However, now that Bryant will retire in the end of the season, it will be interesting to see how Scott coaches the Lakers. Will Bryant still get 30-plus minutes a night or will Scott now give preference to some with the younger players on the Lakers, who are clearly now the future with the team? Either way, Scott has some interesting decisions to make now that Bryant has made the decision to retire.