December 26, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) before the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 126-114. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The long awaited return of the Black Mamba has officially been announced. Shortly after 1pm Pacific Time a 2 minute video announcing the date of Kobe Bryant’s return was posted on Kobe Bryant’s Facebook page.
As per the video announcement, the official return date for Kobe Bryant will be on Sunday, December 8th at Staples Center against the Toronto Raptors.
Kobe Bryant hasn’t played since rupturing his Achilles on April 12, 2013 in a game against the Golden State Warriors. The initial projected recovery time reported for Kobe was 6 to 9 months. Kobe didn’t quite “shatter” the recovery period needed to return from injury as he will get back on the court close to the high end of the projected recovery time.
The Los Angeles Lakers still have a little work to do before taking part in the Welcome Back Kobe festivities as they are in Sacramento tonight to play the Kings.
Kobe will be returning to a team that was playing .500 ball (9-9) prior to the Sacramento game and exceeding many pundits expectations. However, despite the somewhat surprising start, the Lakers still find themselves 12th in the Western Conference and on the outside of the playoff picture.
– Fern Rea