Kobe Bryant has said that his rehab is far ahead of schedule and if the Mamba has anything to say about it, he will be ready to go when the season begins on October 29.
Some people have wondered if the Lakers should ‘tank’ this season to better their chances at a top draft pick for the loaded 2014 NBA Draft, but that just isn’t an option in Lakerland.
With the release of the NBA schedule today, Kobe just got a little extra motivation to be ready for the beginning of the season as the Atlanta Hawks come to Staples Center on November 3 for the Lakers’ fourth game of the season.
For those who don’t remember, in a late-season game against the Hawks last year, Kobe Bryant injured his ankle on what he perceived to be an intentional dirty play by Hawks’ defensive stopper Dahntay Jones, when Jones stepped under Bryant as he attempted a late shot attempt, causing Bryant to roll his ankle.
Jones, of course, denied any malice in the play, but Bryant is not one to forget these kinds of things, and he would surely love to make Jones and the Hawks pay for that injury.
With the Lakers having about as tough a three-game stretch as you could ask for to open the season, this game could mean a whole lot for these Lakers early.
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