LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- It wasn't a heat-check, but a seat-check Kobe Bryant gave Tuesday to Los Angeles Lakers teammate Larry Nance Jr.
Bryant, who sat out Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks, walked up to the bench wearing his suit. As he got closer, he realized there were not empty seats available. So the wily veteran looked down the line and pointed at Nance, giving him the signal to get up. The rookie then took up a spot on the floor so that Bryant could sit down.
Bryant, 37, sat out of the 92-90 home loss due to a shoulder injury. Anthony Brown started in his place. The Lakers legend made news earlier this week when he criticized his young teammates for smiling after Saturday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Bryant is averaging 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 29.1 minutes per game this season.
