In case you haven't heard, Kobe Bryant is returning to the Lakers on Sunday when they take on the Toronto Raptors at home. The Lakers star, in typical Kobe fashion, made the announcement via social media. And he didn't disappoint:
Get it? He's weathered everything, and now he's returning. OK, moving on.
While Bryant hasn't played a game all season and could likely be as worn out as his jersey is in that two-minute long video, his athleticism and pure scoring ability is something L.A. desperately needs.
Ironically enough, the team the Lakers will be attempting to chase for the eighth spot in the playoffs is the Golden State Warriors, the same team Bryant tore his Achilles tendon against back on April 12. Bryant and the Lakers will get a chance to face the Warriors for the first time since his injury on December 21.
Without Bryant this season, the Lakers have still managed to score 101.1 points per game. Though the numbers look promising in that category, they rank 11th in the Western Conference behind teams like the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves.
In comparison, the Lakers scored 102.2 points last season, despite getting off to one of the worst starts in franchise history. Bryant also finished last season with the third-most points per game with 27.3, ranking behind only Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant.
As for Bryant's success against the Raptors, ESPN provides a graphic that proves this might be the perfect time to return for the Lakers legend:
Scoring is something Bryant does at a high rate, but the biggest thing the Lakers will ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
