Via USA Today.
Kobe Bryant really is back.
When it was announced that the Black Mamba was medically cleared for all basketball-related activities, optimism was reserved. It’s been over seven months. Hopes shouldn’t skyrocket. Not when they stand to be dashed.
Turns out that Kobe really is back, though. Draining shots, dropping dimes, making a fool out of Nick Young on defense. It’s actually happening. There’s footage to prove it.
The trusted folks over a Lakers Nation posted the following video of Kobe going ham at practice:
It’s every bit as amazing as it should be. Never mind that Kobe is seen hitting shots and handing out a nifty dime. That’s cool, but it’s not incredibly pertinent. The moves he’s making and his demeanor on the court are more important. He was cutting, sprinting—just going hard. And everything turned out okay. No setbacks were reported and he remains right on his own schedule.
Of course, we don’t know exactly what that is, but does that really matter? Kobe’s back on the court, doing things. Shooting, running, Mamba-ing it up. He’s close; he has to be. Which is great for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Figuring Kobe for a 35-year-old savior would be jumping the gun. Granted he’s Kobe, but he’s an older version of Kobe. An older version of Kobe working his way back from a career-threatening Achilles injury. Give him time. Be patient. Before you expect him to average 30-plus points and bring the Lakers back to the playoffs, allow him to first re-enter the starting lineup. Then, permit him to regain his in-game swagger, knowing full well that he may never be the same.
In my expert, medically and Father Time ignorant opinion, he’ll be fine. Worst-case scenario, he barely plays 30 minutes per game, mostly out of fear for ruining the Lakers’ plans over the long haul. Remember, it’s almost all about next season and thereafter. The Lakers won’t tank because they’re the Lakers. And Kobe would kill those in charge (looking at you Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak) if they were. But, in all likelihood, there is no title to be won in Los Angeles this season.
So the Lakers will look to this summer, when they have cap space and could court players like Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. A healthy Kobe goes a long way in that sales pitch, so long as he promises not to teach either of them how to win.
Tangent. Over. Back to the issue at hand.
Are we expecting too much of Kobe? Probably. Or maybe not enough. He’s constantly on a personal mission to exceed expectations, so he could wind up returning to All-Star form almost immediately. The Mamba is a killer, after all.
Truthfully, we won’t know just by watching videos like these. Only upon his actual return will we have an idea of what to expect. For now, these clips are merely fun reminders that Kobe is still kicking. Proof that he’s on his way back.
Potential evidence that he may not have lost an ounce of excellence.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
