Kobe Bryant expected to be fit for Saturday’s practise game against Utah Jazz – NBA Update
Kobe Bryant missed Wednesday’s scrimmage against the Portland Trail Blazers, but according to recent reports the star shooting guard is all set to return when the team takes on the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. Kobe was present
during Thursday’s practice session, although he did not take part in the drills.
Mike Brown, the head coach, feels that there was no need to test the veteran and is confident that Bryant’s return will be smooth;
"He was dressed for practice, but we didn't really practice," Lakers coach Mike Brown said after the Lakers had a brief session on Thursday. "He had his jersey on and everything. But I knew today was more of a mental day, so I
didn't even really ask (trainer Gary Vitti) what he could and couldn't do."
Bryant had hurt his right shoulder in Tuesday’s practise while trying to dunk the ball. He did not feel the pinch immediately and continued to practise. In the night though, the shoulder swelled,
"(Tuesday) night it was very painful," Bryant said Wednesday night. "It hurt to even lay down. But it's a lot better right now."
The injury raised a few concerns because it was the same shoulder which gave Kobe problem early last decade and he had to undergo a surgery on it in 2003. The star however believes that the present injury has no connection whatsoever
with the last one;
"I don't need it; it's not that serious," Bryant added.
The Lakers will certainly hope that it is the case, because if not, their ambitions of winning the championship this season will pretty much die even before the season starts.
The franchise made a lot of blockbuster moves in the off season. They acquired Steve Nash through a sign and trade deal with their long time rivals Phoenix Suns, and then somehow managed to rope in Dwight Howard, retaining Pau
Gasol all the while. That side looks scary on the paper and there is no doubt that LAL will be a force next season.
Their leader and the most pivotal piece however is still Bryant. He is the man who has seen it all and knows how things work in LA. Black Mamba will be the glue that will hold the Lakers together and if he struggles to remain fit,
the team can be in for a huge bump.
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