UPDATE: Wednesday, March 12 at 2:35 p.m. ET
The Lakers have made the news official that Bryant will miss the remainder of the season, per Mike Trudell of Lakers.com.
---End of update---
LOS ANGELES — The words are about to become official.
Kobe Bryant, out for the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to declare Bryant out for the rest of the 2013-14 season later this week, according to team sources. Bryant is not accompanying the team on its trip to Oklahoma City and San Antonio, staying back to be reexamined by team doctor Steve Lombardo. And considering where Bryant's level of discomfort remains with the fractured lateral tibial plateau in his left knee, barring an unforeseen change, the team will finalize the decision that Bryant will not play again this season.
After his highly anticipated recovery from his torn left Achilles tendon suffered 11 months ago, Bryant played just six games before hurting his knee Dec. 17. He was encouraged by his performance in that final game, a victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, unaware at the time that what he thought was a hyperextended knee was much more significant.
Although the Lakers' original estimate was that Bryant would miss approximately six weeks, he is now expected to miss the final 17 weeks of the season. He said at the All-Star break he was frustrated by the slow recovery with his knee and noted, "It's not the mind that wears down, it's the body."
Bryant will still be expected to anchor the Lakers next season, when he will be 36. He signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension in November to remain the NBA's highest-paid player and continue through the 2015-16 season, at which time he will consider retirement.
Although he has expressed hope the Lakers will reload this summer via free agency, indications are the team will piece ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
