Kobe Bryant has been medically cleared to return to doing basketball-related activities, meaning the Black Mamba will likely be around when the Los Angeles Lakers open training camp this Sept. 29.
Bryant has been status quo until recently. The Lakers star went down with a torn rotator cuff injury back in January after a dunk. It ultimately ended his season prematurely, which further compounded the faltering fortunes of the purple and gold.
With this development, the Lakers can be assured of veteran and possibly a main scoring option that should provide coach Byron Scott a big boost heading into the coming season.
Of course, sophomore players Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle will be back together with a bunch of new veteran recruits like Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams and Brandon Bass.
Can this group bring back the Lakers' winning ways? Lest we forget, there is also a new kid on the block name D'Angelo Russell who is touted as the best point guard from the recent NBA Draft.
Comparing the Lakers to the other teams that got a good haul from the NBA Draft and Free Agency, it remains to be seen if the Lakers were able to get the best talent available and account for a credible season.
But the real story here is Kobe Bryant who is expected to go all out after failing to compete yet another season with the Lakers.
Aside from that, many will be keeping a close eye on Kobe as well. The 37-year-old Lakers star is entering the final year of his contract and there is no word yet on what the Black Mamba has planned moving forward.
Bryant's decision could likely depend on his health and how the current season turns out for him. If he continues to have that explosiveness throughout, he may likely play one or two more seasons.
The bad news is that an injury, major or minor, that sidelines him could be an indication of the end. At the end of the day, Bryant knows best so keep an eye on how the coming season turns out for him.
