Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak fielded 35 minutes of questions from the media on Wednesday morning, and more than half was centered around the Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, but Kupchak says he doesn’t have any expectations for his main attraction.
“No real expectations. I do believe he’ll get back and play this season. You won’t be able to look at him and say he was hurt. He’ll get back on the court, he’ll be healthy, but he is 35.”
Though Lakers fans are hoping that Kobe will return for Opening Night, Kupchak didn’t give any hints that this was a realistic possibility. Kupchak emphasized that although Kobe’s progress on the anti-gravity treadmill is great, he still has a long way to go. Kupchak also voiced that Kobe pushing himself to do too much, too fast is a real concern.
“We can only control what he does in this building, and yeah I’m concerned. I’ve looked out my window now for 3 months and he hasn’t been on the basketball court one day, but quite frankly, I’m wondering at night, does he go to a gym somewhere?”
Lakers fans wouldn’t be surprised. Kobe is currently in the Middle East for the Kobe Bryant Health and Fitness Weekend in Dubai. Bryant is set to return just in time for Lakers media day this Saturday.