Kobe Bryant defends LeBron James, says Cavs star has 'earned the right to rest'

Kobe Bryant, the retired Los Angeles Lakers legend, has come out in support of Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James with regards to sitting out back-to-back games in the final few months of the regular season. James earned a ton of flak for sitting out a nationally-televised game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Mar. 18.

In the month of March, James has sat out two games, the aforementioned encounter against the Clippers and another away game against the Miami Heat on Mar. 4. In his 14th NBA season, James leads the league in minutes played (2510) and is a close second in minutes per game (37.5). The Cavaliers, a deep team with a host of all-stars and former all-stars, are still incapable of notching up victories in James' absence. Tyronn Lue's team has lost all six games that James has missed in the 2016-17 season.

“When you miss a game, there is that one kid out there who isn’t going to be able to see his favorite player play. With that being said, LeBron has done so much for the game and he’s earned the opportunity to be able to take a rest, he’s earned that…He has done so much to elevate the game and has earned the right for us to give him the benefit of the doubt," Bryant said on Monday's edition of ESPN First Take.

Kobe Bryant says Achilles tear was "blessing in disguise"

While revealing that no coach ever asked him to rest during his illustrious 20-year career, Bryant sympathised with James and cited the Cavs star's recent playoff performances as an example of sustained excellence.

When asked if he could have prolonged his career if not for the horrific Achilles tear in 2013, Bryant said the injury was a "blessing in disguise" before reflecting on positives from his final days with the Los Angeles Lakers. “I think it wound up being a blessing in disguise for me. When the Achilles tear happened, it woke me up like, you’re career can come to an end now, what are you going to do? I’ve been thinking and planning and now I need to start putting things into action, I can’t sit back passively because this could be over now and then what are you going to do?”

Kobe Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists with the Lakers. He helped the Purple & Gold capture five championships during the course of his 20-year career.