We all knew it would be sooner rather than later.
It always is with Kobe Bryant.
As improbable as it was for him to tear his Achilles in April and return by the first month of the NBA season, here he is, practicing like he never left. In today’s story of the day, Kobe Bryant discusses why a November return is not out of the question. So really, why should we question him?
“Yeah, yeah I can,” Bryant said when asked if it was possible he might return in one of the team’s five remaining games in November.
A week ago today marked seven months since Bryant tore his Achilles, an injury that could sideline an ordinary athlete for over a year. Seven months later, Bryant believes he can play with no limitations:
“I wouldn’t say ‘limitations,'” Bryant said. “I think there’s areas where it still needs to get stronger in terms of the jumping and being able to plant quickly and change directions and things like that. Those are areas where you just have to get stronger … but I could adjust my game and play at a pretty high level right now.”
Bryant averaged 27.3 points, six rebounds and 5.6 assists per game last season, his 17th as a professional. And there shouldn’t be any reason to believe he won’t be capable of hitting those numbers when he returns, even if he does return a bit earlier than expected.
Kobe’s athletic ability has been declining for some time now. Those numbers came from skill more than anything else. While it may take Kobe a few weeks to get his rhythm back — and his numbers may initially suffer because of it — his skill likely will be right where he left it.
On the court.
“He hasn’t played since April but he looks pretty good,” D’Antoni said. “I don’t know why that surprises me, but it does. He was up and down pretty good. A little rusty here and there, but good.”
Onto more from around the NBA
There would be no commentary on JKidd if Nets were healthy, but now he IS playing a more active role cheering on the bench. The critics should be complaining about the Nets front office for not pushing to give Lawrence Frank more of a voice. I was expecting to see more Frank during the first couple of months. He’s supposed to be JKidd’s head assistant and Mentor. There shouldn’t be any feeling of embarrassment to let Frank shine. Frank is an excellent coach and perfectly complements Jason Kidd’s ability to motivate and teach. Noone should be expecting Kidd to be calling plays. He’s already responsible for Nets obtaining Livingston, Alan Anderson and convincing Kirilenko to come to Brooklyn. He’s given Mason Plumlee a chance to play, that no other coach would. He’s now given Tyshawn Taylor a chance to play too and he’s looking valuable.
He’s also given Mirza Teletovic a fair chance, and Mirza has failed and isn’t playing now. The so called “scout” who watched several games isn’t aware of these other considerations.
The Nets problem has been health, in particular Andrei Kirilenko, who has only played about 53 minutes over 4 of the Nets 10 games. If he could just play 25 mpg, I would predict he’d be the most important player on the Nets. I rate him above Lopez and DWill, because if Brook is out, Blatche’s game will elevate. When DWill is out, Shaun Livingston can step up and play 35 good minutes.
Sure Kobe can play, but if he wants to be around for a few years, its awful risky to have a competitive Bryant he can’t do everything he wants, physically. That is why I don’t expect him back before January, although he will continue to “tease” the media by saying how he could still play. If Kobe returned and re-injured as a result of trying to play at 100%+ like he did at the end of last season (he overruled the coach and front office about playing too many minutes), we would never hear the last of “I told you so”.
Deron Williams hasn’t had any elevation (because of ankles) all season. I wish he had received PRP treatment, while he’s been injured, but apparently that isn’t the case. It was his left ankle that he injured in the Olympics, and was contemplating surgery because of Bone Spurs and chronic inflammation. It was his right ankle that he injured at beginning of September. This time its his left ankle.