Mitch Kupchak Has No Doubt About Kobe’s Return
- Updated: January 30, 2015
(Via @Lakers)
The Los Angeles Lakers general manger, Mitch Kupchak, spoke to the media today about the future of Kobe Bryant, who will be out of play for the next nine months.
Kupchak bolded told ESPN.com and the other media outlets:
“I don’t think he’s retiring,” Kupchak said Thursday after the Lakers’ shootaround. “He said he’s looking forward to training camp. That’s what we expect.”
He shot down the notion that it was Bryant’s long minutes per game. Kupchak said:
“I don’t think that had anything to do with anything [and] certainly not the injury,”
He added, “As you get older and you experience injuries in this league — and he’s played what will be 20 years — it’s difficult to play when you’re going to lose three or four games or five games.
“When you’re winning games, it’s a lot easier to get ready to play and play through aches and pains. To me, a big part of Kobe’s contribution next year is if we can improve this team during the offseason.”
Mitch Kupchak said he expects Bryant’s rehab to take all nine months.
“He’ll be in a brace and it will be an awkward-looking brace,” Kupchak said. “I think that would prevent him from doing anything for quite some time in terms of being able to use your lower body. But at some point in time, his shoulder will get to the point where he can jog and do treadmill and do things on the court. I’m not that concerned with the conditioning part of it.”
Of the course, the topic of money and contracts came up but the Los Angeles Lakers maintain that the superstar and champion is worth “every single penny”, they “have no regrets.”
Oh, and Steve Nash? Well, Mitch Kupchak says he is in contact with Nash, he hangs out with some of the players and the two have scheduled breakfast meetings once a month.
We are still praying Kobe has a speedy recovery and is in fact back in nine-months! We aren’t quite ready to see a Lakers team without a Kobe Bryant influence.
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Lakers and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, All the time!
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