Mike D'Antoni says Kobe will defend primary scorers for rest of the season

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant will be expected to defend their opponents best scorer from now on. (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni isn't known for putting the best defensive teams out on the court, usually trying his hand at running and gunning a team out of the gym.

Now that the Lakers are in dire straits with a real possibility of missing the playoffs, D'Antoni said that he will put guard Kobe Bryant on the opposing team's best player and primary scoring option.

The Lakers rank 17th in the NBA in defense giving up 103.4 points per 100 possessions and 26th overall giving up 101.4 points per game. The Western Conference is full of shooting and point guards that Bryant will be expected to defend the rest of the season.

When asked how many more games Bryant will guard primary scorers, D'Antoni said, "43. Unless he dies first."