In fact, the active acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers of rookies deemed to be potential replacements of Kobe Bryant illustrate the NBA team’s goal of creating a group strong enough to watch the veteran athlete go. Bryant tore the rotator cuff in his right shoulder during last season and has been rehabbing the shoulder to try and get ready for the season. His prior two seasons were cut short by Achilles and knee injuries.
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Even in the playoffs with the season Dwight Howard, without Bryant, the Lakers were swept in the first round.
According to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, Kobe has been “medically cleared for all basketball activities”.
Kobe Bryant has reportedly been fully cleared for basketball activities.
Those days are long, though, with Bryant sapped of the burst and athleticism that allowed him to perform at a much higher level than his age suggests is possible.
It is unknown what Kobe’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers is beyond this year, but it has been reported that the Lakers would love to have him back as long as he could play, but after this year his role would likely be smaller. With five rings, Bryant is one of the most accomplished players in the NBA.
In his last season that he was healthy, Bryant averaged 27.3 points on 46.3 percent from the field.
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But the Lakers insist they don’t regret a deal that will pay Bryant a league-leading $25 million this season, with club president Jim Buss saying in August that the aging superstar “deserves the money”. He’s only played in a quarter of games the last two seasons and another injury-plagued season just wouldn’t be a fitting end to what has obviously been a historic, Hall of Fame career.
