Kobe returning against raptors

Kobe Bryant will make his long-awaited return from injury for the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at home to the Toronto Raptors, the shooting guard said on his Facebook account on Friday.

The 35-year-old posted a two-minute video link that showed his No 24 jersey fluttering through sunshine, clouds, wind, rain, snow and lightning, then being torn down the middle before being repaired by a beam of light.

Preceded by the inscription: "Seasons of Legend: Lakers announce Kobe's return", the video segment ended by flashing the words: "The Legend Continues Dec 8."

Bryant has been sidelined since mid-April with a torn left Achilles' tendon but was given full medical clearance to resume all basketball activities midway through last month.

The return of the 15-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion will be a significant boost for the Lakers, who are 9-9 this season and sit 12th in the 15-team Western Conference.

Bryant workd out with the team for a third straight day on Thursday without suffering any setbacks, and said afterwards that his range of motion was a lot better.

"The last time I practised (for two days in a row), my range of motion became restricted," Bryant, known throughout his career for his determination to play through pain and various other setbacks, said.

"It became kind of locked up and I wasn't able to run, change directions or sprint like I wanted to.

"Now I don't feel like I have any limitations, really. The change of gear is not where I want it to be, but it's easy to compensate and go out there and be effective."

- Reuters

(China Daily 12/08/2013 page11)