Lakers Shouldn’t View Kobe Bryant as Savior

Kobe Bryant isn't going to make everything better for the Los Angeles Lakers, as much as both the team and the passionate fans would like to believe he can be the team's savior. 

On the heels (bad pun alert!) of the Mamba's return to practice, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and buzz. Kobe is almost back, and he's immediately going to fix all of the problems that have plagued the Purple and Gold during their lackluster start to the season. 

Well, hold your horses. Slow your roll. Sit tight and wait a minute. Do whatever cliche phrase you need to do in order to temper the expectations. 

Yes, Kobe is back...at practice. That much is clear. 

First, he told Rick Fox during an interview for NBATV that he would be able to suit up if that night's game were a playoff game.



You can see the full dialogue below, and it's a pretty entertaining watch, as is everything that involves Old Man Kobe. 



Then, the news got even better, as Kobe actually suited up for a Lakers practice. According to Sam Amick of USA Today, it was the first time he'd joined the team for these activities since suffering the injury on April 12, 2013. 

As Steve Blake told the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan, "He looks like Kobe to me, basically. He’s moving well, right back to his old self." The point guard also noted that Kobe was right in the thick of things when the slow-paced practice had its intensity amped up a couple notches. 

All of these developments are undoubtedly positive. 

Every step Kobe makes in his recovery leads to his ability to take steps on the hardwood during actual games. But again, it's important to keep the expectations realistic.

Viewing Kobe as a savior is a little bit too much. 

 

He's Not Back Yet



Even though ...

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