Kobe Bryant gets total medical clearance
In the not-too-distant future, All-Star guard Kobe Bryant should be back in uniform and on the court for the Lakers.
Kobe Bryant started his recovery from a right rotator cuff injury by doing some shooting last month, and now is all the way back after he was medically cleared to participate in all basketball activities.
Bryant, 37, had surgery to repair his shoulder at the end of January, and was expected to be out about nine months.
But according to an NBA official who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, Bryant was cleared to come back a little early. The news was first reported by Bleacher Report.
The Lakers will have their media day Sept. 28 and then start training camp the next day in Hawaii. Bryant is expected to go full out during the sessions at the University of Hawaii.
Bryant suffered the rotator cuff injury in January while driving baseline and throwing down a two-handed dunk against the New Orleans Pelicans, cutting his season short for the third consecutive year.
He averaged 22.3 points a game last season, making only 37.3% of his shots, 29.3% of his three-pointers.
Bryant has played in only 41 games the last two seasons, after averaging 73 games his first 17 seasons.
He fractured his right knee during the 2013-14 season, and played in only six games. He tore his left Achilles’ tendon in April 2013, forcing him to miss the final two regular-season games and the playoffs.
Bryant is in the last year of his contract, which pays him an NBA-high $25 million. He has said he will decide after this season if this is to be his last.
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