The Los Angeles Lakers have been like Jekyll and Hyde this season. One night they look like a legitimate playoff contender in the Western Conference and the next night you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between the Lakers and the Charlotte Bobcats.
Along with the Lakers lack of consistency, the team has dealt with injury issues to Steve Nash and are still waiting for the return of Kobe Bryant.
Recently, Kobe talked about his return to the floor and made many feel as if he’d be returning sooner rather than later. The five-time NBA champion let it known that he was ramping up his workouts and hinted at the prospect of returning in the next two weeks.
Apparently, GM Mitch Kupchak isn’t convinced Kobe will return that early according to Eric Pincus of the L.A. Times:
“I don’t see that in the next week or two because you’ve got to be on the court. You’ve got to practice. You’ve got to play,” Kupchak, speaking at a morning event for season-ticket holders at Staples Center, said of the team’s All-Star guard.
Kupchak makes a logical assessment of Kobe’s status. The perennial All-Star isn’t practicing and you simply can’t jump back on the floor without doing so. Although the Lakers desperately need Kobe back in the lineup in order to help right the ship this season, it doesn’t make much sense to rush him back.
At this point in time, it’d be safe to assume that Kobe returning next month might be more realistic. A Christmas Day return might make the most sense and that may have been the plan all along.
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