Lakers assistant Larry Lewis says Kobe Bryant is a basketball genius

In addition to hiring assistants Kurt Rambis and Johnny Davis to join Dan D’Antoni on Coach Mike D’Antoni’s staff, the Lakers also brought in Larry Lewis and Mark Madsen as player development coaches.

“It’s an awesome opportunity,” said Lewis to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com. “I’m very grateful for it, and appreciative at the same time.”

Lewis looks forward to learning D’Antoni’s system and helping players find ways to contribute.

“There are spots on the court that guys have to go to, especially in the beginning of each possession,” said Lewis. “It’s a system where each player is sort of demanded to know everyone’s spot. That’s the interesting thing about it. It flows, evolves and lives.”

Lewis acknowledged he’d have a different approach to working with Kobe Bryant than some of the team’s younger players.

“I rarely hear people talk about how smart Kobe is. He is a genius when it comes to this sport,” said Lewis. “My approach to working with him would be to recognize that he already has the blueprint spiritually and mentally.

“It’s a different season with Kobe coming back from the Achilles injury that a lot of people have had a hard time with,” he continued. “But Kobe Bryant is not those people. Kobe’s mental world allows him to overcome things that people wouldn’t even think of. I also think his work ethic is unmatched.”

Bryant tore his Achilles’ tendon in April. His status for the Lakers’ regular-season opener on Oct. 29 at home against the Clippers remains unclear.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.