Even though it happened two days ago players were still talking about Kobe Bryant’s appearance on Monday at the Lakers practice facility in El Segundo. The rookies had stars in their eyes. The veterans who played with Kobe last year took it all in stride but were still impressed. Why? Kobe played in a series of 5-on-5 scrimmages. All witnesses testified to how great he looked. If it had been a real game he would have gotten a standing ovation. Many compared him to pre-Achilles injury Kobe.
Jeremy Lin said he was impressed. “Kobe played very well”, Lin said. “I don’t know the old Kobe. It’s different live and up close. He looks pretty close to before. He’s going to have a good year. He’s in shape and he’s healthy.”
Dec 16, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket in the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Byron Scott just shook his head. “Looking at the rookies shaking their head you know you have a legend when rookies come in the next day still talking.” Byron could hardly contain his own enthusiasm now that the start of training camp is less than a week away. “I’m so excited, so ready.” He talked to Kobe after the scrimmages and Kobe told Byron he felt great. “Kobe looked really good. It’s the first time he’s played all summer. It’s nice to have #24 out there. He really raised the intensity level.” Asked if he was ready to hit game winners Scott shook his head, grinning. “He hit another one Monday.”
Jordan Hill who has been diligently working on his mid range game- 200 shots a day in two-a-days all summer long- said of Kobe: “He’s been knocking it down. It seemed like he played the whole season last year.”
Of course scrimmages aren’t games but they give a clue of an athlete’s health and conditioning. All signs seem to point to Kobe returning just as he promised he would, ready to prove the cynics and doubters wrong.