Bryant only played about six minutes and scored zero points on 0-3 shooting from the floor, but what was more revealing was Bryant's self-prognosis on his knee after the game.
Bryant reportedly said his knee was about 60 percent at this time which is not exactly promising news with the regular season only three weeks away.
The Lakers open the regular season Oct. 26, against the Houston Rockets and it's doubtful Bryant will be 100 percent by then, and it's a guarantee that Andrew Bynum won't be.
Bynum was also obviously absent from yesterday's loss to Minnesota, but unlike Bryant, he will not be available until December at the earliest, after his own knee surgery.
Most would agree that starting a quest for a three-peat with a gimpy Bryant and an injured Bynum is not an ideal situation for the Lakers.
The 2010-11 season will have enough storylines for the Lakers as it is, considering this may be Phil Jackson's final season, and Los Angeles is seeking their third three-peat in the past decade.
But this injury news is not the type of drama the Lakers need.
The Western Conference should be even tougher next season, and there are plenty of teams such as Dallas, Portland, and Oklahoma City who will be more than willing to replace the Lakers should they falter.
Bynum's injury will be easier for the Lakers to absorb since they are strong in the paint regardless with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, but that logic only applies with a healthy Bryant.
What other perimeter option do the Lakers have if Bryant is ineffective?
Bryant's knee has been a large elephant in the Lakers' locker room, because no one was sure how he would respond after arthro...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
