Kobe Bryant continues to progress from the torn achilles he suffered in last year’s playoffs. He’s been practicing now for several weeks, and seems to be getting closer to a return to the Lakers lineup. Bryant isn’t ready to play in today’s game against the Portland Trailblazers, but head coach Mike D’Antoni is suggesting he could return for the Lakers next game, Friday in Shaqramento Sacramento to face the Kings.
The Lakers have three practices scheduled before the Kings game, and D’Antoni said he will be watching Bryant closely to see if he’s ready.
“I don’t want to anticipate anything,” D’Antoni said after practice Saturday. “Those are days that he can work and see, re-evaluate how he feels after the three days and then make a decision going forward.
“That doesn’t mean he will play Friday, doesn’t mean he won’t. But that’s the time you just evaluate, and I can’t tell you what type of evaluation that will be.”
Lakers guard Jordie Meeks indicated that Bryant seems to be getting better, and that the team will be happy to have their best player and leader back in the lineup.
“He wasn’t really rusty,” Meeks said. “I’m sure he’s been getting a bunch of shots up.
“We prepare as if he’s not going to play right now. When he comes back, we’ll be happy to have him. He’ll obviously make the game a lot easier for us.”
Bryant recently signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension with the team, which will likely make the Black Mamba a “Laker for Life”.
The Lakers are also without point-guard Steve Nash who has been rehabilitating from nerve irritation. He may be back to practice as early as this week.
Thanks for Reading. You can follow me the LWOS basketball department on twitter – @NBAAnalystFaro, @LASTWORDgcp, @TrendingTristan, @KaineElmy, @lwosjbjatty, @LWOSJoshHoath, @aFishCalledMatt, @NBAFantasyInfo, @fourpoint_play, @matttheballer23, @caulfieldhoops, and @hoops_scoop. While you’re at it, give the site a follow too – @lastwordonsport and like our Facebook Page.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.
