Kobe can run faster than you, jump higher than you, make a nail biting, sweat rolling down your cheek in sweet anticipation, clutch shot better than you, and now, he can heal faster than you.
When Kobe Bryant had ruptured his Achilles tendon and required surgery, the timetable of six to nine months was set for the his return. But Kobe says he’s on pace to fully recover from surgery much earlier than anticipated. He may even be in the starting lineup against the Los Angeles Clippers on opening night on Oct. 29.
“The normal timetable for recovery from an Achilles, we’ve shattered that. Three-and-a-half months I can already walk just fine, I’m lifting weights with the Achilles just fine and that’s different.”
Size can equal great defense, and Kurt Rambis knows just how to use it. Dwight Howard was lost in free agency, but the team still has a fairly big frontcourt. Pau Gasol, Chris Kaman and Jordan Hill will man the paint for the Lakers, and Rambis would like to see the big men take advantage of their size despite Mike D’Antoni’s offensive system.
“The [Lakers] still have big people and I think you have to take advantage of the big people,” said Rambis in a phone interview with The Times on Thursday. “You can’t ignore them because they are an asset to your offense.”
At Lakers Nation, we not only like to keep you posted on current events, but show you historic Lakers moments worth reliving. Today’s post is all about Derek Fisher’s 0.4 shot that gave the Lakers a 3-2 edge over the Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals in 2004. Fisher’s shot played a part crucial part in the Lakers making it to the NBA Finals that year.
Lakers Nation wants to pay tribute to the career of Chick Hearn, who broadcasted Lakers games for 42 years. His play-by-plays are synonymous with many fans’ memories, which made LN want to express our favorite Hearn moments on the anniversary of his passing. Check out what we had to say, but also don’t forget to include where Chick touched your heart.
Kobe Up Close, an event at the Nokia Theater with Jimmy Kimmel, will raise money towards ending homelessness in Los Angeles. KVBFF will partner with Cedars Sinai Sports Spectacular to help marginalized and inner-city communities. Ticket sales for the event range from $25 to $200, and you can purchase your tickets here. Lakers Nation has partnered with Sports Spectacular to give away a pair of tickets to the event. Check out how to win here.
Lakers Nation News
Lakers Nation Roundtable: A Celebration Of Chick Hearn’s Career
Kobe Bryant ‘Shattered’ Recovery Timetable For Achilles Injury
Giveaway: Enter For A Chance To Win Tickets To Kobe Up Close
Historic Lakers YouTube Video: Derek Fisher’s 0.4 Shot
Lakers News: Kurt Rambis Wants To Use Team’s Size As An Advantage
Lakers News & Rumors Recap: Pau Gasol Is Here To Stay
Lakers News
Kurt Rambis Happy to Reunite with Wesley Johnson [Lakers Now]
D-Fenders Target Bob MacKinnon to be Coach [Los Angeles Lakers Blog]
Odom Wants to Stay in L.A., but Does Anyone Want Him? [ProBasketballTalk]
Kurt Rambis Not Sure Lakers Are Ready to Run Next Season [Lakers Now]
Lakers Q&A: Kurt Rambis on Assistant Gig, Phil Jackson, Mike D’Antoni & Defense [Inside the Lakers]
Pau Gasol ‘Would Love to Play’ for Lakers Beyond Next Season [SB Nation]
Pau Gasol Holds ‘no grudges’ Against Lakers, Still Rehabbing Knees [LA Times]
Kobe Says He Has “shattered” Achilles Recovery Timeline [ProBasketballTalk]
Lakers’ Week in Review [Lakers Now]
Pau Gasol Moved by the Plight of Syrian Refugees in Iraq [latimes.com]
Drew League Officials, Players Recall Kobe Bryant’s Appearance [Inside the Lakers]
Kobe Says He’s ‘shattering’ Recovery Timetable [SB Nation]
NBA News
Tony Parker Plans to Remain With the French National Team [CBSSports.com]
Former NBA Player Craig Ehlo Released From Jail [Yahoo! Sports]
Jimmy Butler Says Bulls Can’t Let the Heat Three-Peat [SLAM ONLINE]
Nick Young Gets Dunked on at the Drew League (VIDEO) [ProBasketballTalk]
Watch the Dallas Mavericks’ pitch for Dwight Howard [Lakers Now]
NBA TV to Reveal 2013-14 Schedule on August 6 [NBA.com]
Wizards John Wall Believes He’s the Best Point Guard in the NBA [CBSSports.com]
Goran Dragic Gets in an International Basketbrawl [Look It]
Heat Express Interest in Sebastian Telfair [ProBasketballTalk]
‘Fruitvale Station’ Hits Home for Damian Lillard [Yahoo! Sports]
Copeland Undergoes Successful Surgery [THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE INDIANA PACERS]
Who’s Better” Brandon Jennings or Mike Conley? [Dime Magazine]
Wall Anxious to Lead Wizards Into Postseason [NBA.com]
Carmelo Anthony Reiterates He Will Not Have Shoulder Surgery [ProBasketballTalk]
Is the NBA Draft Pick Becoming Overvalued? [SB Nation]
Mark Cuban Writes Lengthy Blog Post Explaining Mavericks’ Decisions [SB Nation]
Bulls’ Rose Could Suit up Oct. 5 at Indiana [NBA.com]
Carmelo Anthony Knows His Window is Closing on Knicks’ Title Quest [CBSSports.com]
Tyus Jones Shows Why He’s The Top Ranked HS PG In America [Dime Magazine]