LA Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant reiterated that his recovery has been progressing steadily, saying that he is way ahead of schedule and even proclaiming that he would play if the Lakers had a playoff game right now.
ESPN.com quoted Bryant's interview with former teammate Rick Fox for NBA TV, with the league's fourth leading scorer saying: "If there was a playoff game tonight, I'd play. I'd play. I don't know how effective I'd be, but I would play."
Bryant said he can still do the moves that have made him the Lakers' all-time leading scorer, from his trademark fadeaway, smooth ballhandling to pivot moves in the post. "Those are things that I can do right now. But it's not the playoffs, thank god."
Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said that Bryant has been doing shooting drills recently, although he still has no clue on when his superstar will return to full contact practice.
Even Bryant has no idea on when he can return to the court.
"It's tough because once I've set that as a target then I'm hell-bent at doing it at all costs, even to the detriment of the damn Achilles," Bryant told NBA TV. "I try to just stay in the moment and really try to listen to my body."
The Lakers are off to a poor start with a 4-7 record with their latest loss coming at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies. Center Pau Gasol has not shown any improvement from last season's abysmal showing while former two-time MVP Steve Nash has been slowed down by an injury. Only time can tell when Bryant returns to the court and save what is fast shaping up to be a mediocre season for the Lakers.
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