Like most of the main NBA stars currently lined up for the regular season, Kobe Bryant could very well miss the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers preseason assignments as a precautionary measure.
Bryant ended up with a bruised lower left leg during the team's previous game against the Sacramento Kings. The injury is, however, not seen to be serious, which means Laker fans can heave a big sigh of relief.
Bryant has been grounded the past two seasons by various season-ending injuries and the current one that he has suffered is not seen as something to cause some panic.
Head coach Byron Scott himself said that Bryant's injury should be nothing more than a muscle sore and that he just needs to rest.
He also points out that since these are only exhibition, it would be best for the Lakers to go through the rest of their games with whoever is available and reserve Bryant for season opening which starts on Oct. 27.
The Lakers will be facing the Minnesota Timberwolves in the season opener.
Jordan Clarkson will likely take over from Bryant from here, although Scott could experiment with other players on the roster.
This should also give the Lakers an opportunity to see how Clarkson can function with rookie D' Angelo Russell in the backcourt, a duo whom many see as the future of the Lakers franchise.
Aside from Clarkson and Russell, Lou Williams and probably Nick Young could see some action as the Lakers rev up their campaign to end a forgettable two year slump.
The Lakers have failed to come up with a good showing the past two years, made even worse when Bryant was unable to finish both seasons.
With Bryant back, the Lakers expect him to lead the young core as well as the new faces of the ball club in a pretty competitive Western Conference.
