The debate rages on about whether Kobe Bryant will bounce back after two serious injuries in consecutive years. Kobe is as confident he’ll be a force to be reckoned with once again, but even he has admitted that he won’t be the same player.
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Despite the doubts surrounding Kobe’s ability to return to form next season, James Worthy believes the face of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise will continue to play at an All-Star until he calls it a career. Worthy recently said the following in an interview with Time Warner Cable SportsNet:
“I think he’ll be back at all-star level. He’s an all-star as long as he’s in the league, but he might have to make a few changes of his game. He’s got a lot of miles on that body, so I hope he’s willing to accept that. Byron understands him very well, and I think Byron will be able to convey the proper message to Kobe.
“Then when we need him down the stretch he’s still going to have that bump-and-fade-away game, below-the-rim type of game. He’s still a strategic player so he knows how to play the game.”
Kobe will likely see his first action on the basketball floor with the Lakers on Oct. 28 against the visiting Houston Rockets. There’s been no word on whether Kobe will play during the preseason, but it can’t be ruled out at this point. Kobe is as eager as ever to get back to work and will likely make a case to play at some point in the eight games on the preseason schedule.
The preseason will get underway for the Lakers on Oct. 9. Byron Scott will make his coaching debut for the purple and gold against the Denver Nuggets in San Diego at the Valley View Casino.
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It is anyone’s guess whether Kobe suits up for the first preseason game or watches from the sidelines like he did for the majority of last season. Kobe only played six games last season before going down with a knee injury. The five-time NBA champion has yet to play a single game in 2014.
[divide]Jamie Foxx Talks “Getting Into It” With Kobe Bryant