Kobe Bryant has been cleared to return to all basketball activities. That’s the news the Los Angeles Lakers and all L.A. have been waiting for. Now the question is, who does Bryant choose as his first post-injury victim?
The Lakers are currently 5-7 and are only two games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but the team is yet to win back-to-back games with Bryant. That is expected to change once Kobe decides to suit up, but that won’t be the only thing changing for L.A. The rotation will have to change due to Bryant getting the majority of minutes at the shooting guard position, and the number of shots everyone was getting will be changing as well.
When all of those changes will take place is still up in the air though. Head coach Mike D’Antoni has said the team will be taking a cautious approach when it comes to Bryant getting back on the court. In reality, D’Antoni has likely been loving being able to coach without receiving the “Kobe scowl” from the bench. That too will be changing in the near future.
The Lakers aren’t scheduled to suit up again until this Friday against the Golden State Warriors. I’m not saying Kobe will be back then, but it should certainly be considered. L.A. is looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. Golden State blew them out the first time the two teams met this year, and it’s on prime time ESPN. What better time for Bryant to make his grand return?
Whether or not Kobe returns as soon as this Friday is literally up to him at this point, but don’t expect him to sit out for too long like Derrick Rose did. When Bryant feels he is ready, he will be out on the court doing his best to lift the Lakers to the playoffs. I would just hate to be the first guy having to guard him because Bryant will be out for blood and based on his past, Kobe generally gets what he wants.
Michael Pidgeon is a Los Angeles Dodgers writer for Rant Sports.com: “Like” him on Facebook, Follow him on Twitter @1AndOnlyPidgeon, add him to your network on Google or e-mail him at
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