Following the loss to the Golden State Warriors in China on Tuesday morning, head coach Mike D’Antoni was asked about Kobe’s return to the floor and if he believed the five-time NBA champion would be able to play in the season opener.
Apparently, D’Antoni is fairly convinced Kobe won’t be playing against the Clippers in two weeks time via Kevin Ding of BleacherReport.com:
Asked if there is any chance Bryant plays the Oct. 29 opener, D’Antoni said, “No, I don’t think so. I think it’s an ongoing process, but that would be tough.”
With Kobe only starting to get back on the practice floor and clearly nowhere near 100 percent, the superstar guard returning for the season opener against the Clippers remains highly unlikely.
Obviously, it’s difficult to count out Kobe. The perennial All-Star has made a career out of proving his doubters wrong and may be able to do it once again by returning against the Clippers, but realistically, if not wisely, Kobe should be watching from the sidelines on Oct. 29.
Despite all signs leaning toward Kobe starting the season on the bench in a suit and potentially resuming the Coach Kobe role for a while, anything can happen, good or bad, over the course of two weeks.
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Kobe Bryant Was Asked If He’ll Play Opening Night. Find Out What He Said