LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Kobe Bryant returned to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup Sunday night against Phoenix after taking three games off to rest.Coach Byron Scott didnt know how many minutes Bryants return will last, and he had no predictions about how much rest Bryant will need going forward in the winter.But the former Lakers teammates are determined to figure out how to preserve Bryants 36-year-old body for the rigours of his 19th NBA season, even if it means taking more games off in the near future.When you get to this point in your career, you have to listen to your body a little bit more, Scott said. I think hes being smart, allowing me to say, OK, lets sit this game, and not put up a fight and just trusting in me. I thought that was big for us.Bryant skipped three games in four days surrounding Christmas due to an overall soreness, missing the Lakers upset win over Golden State before a brutal back-to-back road trip in Chicago and Dallas.The third-leading scorer in NBA history played just six games in the previous 18 months before this season due to two major injuries. Although he has looked much like his former self for long stretches this season, Bryant has been more aware than ever of his susceptibility to fatigue and injury, and hes handling himself accordingly.I just think he understands right now that he has to get as much as he can out of his body while he can, and then sometimes were going to have to sit down, Scott said. The body will get you to change a little bit when it starts talking to you. I think we all know that Kobe is one of the smartest players in this league, so he starts to listen, just like everybody else.After showing up to Staples Center more than three hours early for a pregame workout, Bryant largely ran the point in the opening minutes against the Suns, focusing on playmaking instead of the physical grind of being a scorer. He had made just 29.2 per cent of his shots in his last five games before his rest.Scott hopes to reduce his minutes from their current 35.4 per game, aiming to play Bryant roughly 32 minutes each night. Bryant also is still skipping most practices with his teammates, although he chafes against that restriction.But Scott cant promise Bryant wont play extra minutes if a game is on the line for the Lakers, who are still scuffling at the edge of respectability despite their injury woes.He only knows one way to play, Scott said. If hes on the court, hes going to play all-out. He doesnt take plays off, so you know youve got to sometimes save a guy from himself. . The Wizards gave up two seldom-used players — forward Jan Vesely and point guard Eric Maynor. Vesely goes to the Nuggets, while Maynor gets shipped to the 76ers. Philadelphia receives two second-round draft picks, one from the Wizards in 2015 and one from the Nuggets in 2016. .com) - Former FBI director Robert Mueller said his investigation found no evidence that the NFL saw the elevator video of Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee before the tape was released in September. . -- The road to the Masters got off to a bumpy start Sunday for Tiger Woods when he withdrew from the Honda Classic with what he said was a lower back injury. . The teams were scoreless for most of the first two periods before Canada scored three times in a span of less than four minutes. Sarah Potomak opened the scoring on the power play. . Terrance Broadway threw for 227 yards and Hunter Stover kicked three field goals as the Ragin Cajuns won an unprecedented fourth straight New Orleans Bowl with a 16-3 triumph over Nevada.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Gary Kubiak was all set to stay in Baltimore, where hed had a terrific comeback as the Ravens offensive co-ordinator after getting fired from his head coaching job in Houston the year before.He turned down opportunities to interview for the head coaching vacancies with the Bears and Jets, and planned a vacation with his wife, Rhonda.Then, his cellphone buzzed.It was John Elway.Cancel the sand and the surf.Pack the skis instead.It was just a game-changer, Kubiak said Tuesday after being introduced as the 15th head coach of the Denver Broncos, where he spent 13 seasons either backing up Elway at quarterback or drawing up blueprints as his offensive co-ordinator.This place is special for me Kubiak said.And Kubiak held a hallmark spot in Elways plans after the Broncos general manager parted with John Fox a day after Denvers dismal showing in a 24-13 playoff loss to Indianapolis.He was at the top of the list, no question, Elway said, stressing, in my mind there is not a better guy to take over the Denver Broncos.Kubiak isnt fixing a 4-12 jalopy with high draft picks and low expectations but rather a 12-4 team that featured an NFL-high 11 Pro Bowlers. Yet, this team showed a striking lack of fire in that playoff loss to the Colts two weeks ago when the mantra all year was about atoning for that 35-point loss to Seattle in last years Super Bowl.Kubiak steps into a pressure cooker where Elway reiterated its always Super Bowl or bust, and where Foxs 49-22 record wasnt nearly good enough.Kubiak, who said his health scare in 2013 taught him to rely more on those around him, didnt flinch.Thats what I want to be a part of, Kubiak said, noting he thrived in that environment of high expectations as a player from 1983-91 and then serving on Mike Shanahans staff from 1995-2005, coaching the Texans from 2006-13 and assisting the Ravens last year.If youre working in this business, thats the opportunity you want, to win a championship. You want to be around people where thats the way they go about business, Kubiak said. So, I see that as a plus and thats something that I welcome and I look forward to.So, Kubiak, 53, is once again Elways No. 2.Believe me, he is the boss, Kubiak said. Thats all right. I want to coach.When it comes to football philosophies, Elway and Kubiak are kindred spirits, though.JJohns the most competitive human being Ive ever been around, whether youre playing cards or pingpong, it doesnt matter, Kubiak said.dddddddddddd I think Im very competitive, too. Thats probably why were still standing in this league because if youre not, youre not going to hang out for very long.I know what Gary Kubiak is about, Elway said. Ive had the pleasure of knowing him for 30 years, had a chance to play with him and play for him. I know his philosophies and I know what he can do. I know his goals are the same as mine and thats to win — and to win world championships.Thats something the Broncos havent done since Elway was QB and Kubiak was his offensive co-ordinator in 1998, when Denver won its second straight Super Bowl title.The big question now is will Kubiak be calling plays in 2015 for Peyton Manning or Brock Osweiler?Manning is mulling retirement after a difficult stretch run marred by a thigh injury and a dismal playoff performance.Kubiaks offensive philosophies are rooted in Bill Walshs West Coast system featuring the zone-blocking schemes that the Broncos fine-tuned in the 1990s and 2000s. But he said hes also one to adapt to his players strengths.Kubiak, who was unsuccessful in his attempt to talk Elway into putting off retirement in 1999, said hes spoken with Manning and plans to meet with him when things slow down. He said he would welcome back the five-time MVP, who turns 39 in March, and would mesh his offensive ideas with Mannings style.The offence Peyton runs, hes tremendous at it, back there in the gun controlling the game, controlling the line of scrimmage. Nobody has ever done it better and hes the master at it, Kubiak said. Actually, Im looking forward to learning that style and that system that he has.Were going to do what our team does best and what our players do best, and if Peyton Mannings playing, thats what he does best.Notes: Kubiak hired Joe DeCamillis as special teams co-ordinator. Coaches expected to stay on staff are: Tyke Tolbert (receivers), Eric Studesville (running backs), Luke Richesson (strength & conditioning) and Clancy Barone (from tight ends to O-line). Kubiak is expected to bring Rick Dennison (offensive co-ordinator) and Brian Pariani (tight ends) with him from Baltimore.___AP NFL website:
www.pro32.ap.org and
www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '
