Kobe Bryant Unsure About Playing in Season Opener

Kobe Brryant may be very confident about his rehab from surgery on his torn Achilles tendon, but despite the optimism from some corners in Laker-land, Bryant still isn’t certain he’ll suit up on Opening Night. Per the AP: “Kobe Bryant isn’t sure he’ll be ready to play when the Los Angeles Lakers open the season on Oct. 29, although he remains ahead of schedule in rehabbing his surgically repaired Achilles’ tendon. Bryant turns 35 next week and he vowed that his 17-year career is ‘definitely not over.’ … ‘I just want that jewelry,’ he said, referring to the possibility of claiming his sixth NBA championship. ‘People just don’t understand how obsessed I am with winning.’ Bryant made his comments to late night host Jimmy Kimmel during ‘Kobe Up Close,’ a one-on-one conversation with the NBA superstar on Thursday night at Nokia Theatre across from Staples Center. He had a one-word answer when Kimmel asked whether he would finish his career with the only team he’s ever played for: ‘Yeah,’ Bryant replied. The 7,100-seat venue was full of Bryant’s fans that cheered, jeered and interrupted freely during the one-hour program. Ticket proceeds benefited the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which works to help end homelessness. In keeping with the reason for the event, Kimmel asked, ‘If there was only one homeless person in the world, would you be happy if it was Dwight Howard?’ The audience roared, mere weeks removed from Howard’s decision to leave the Lakers for Houston after one season. ‘Dwight is a great kid,’ Bryant said, nearly drowned out by boos. ‘We have different perspectives on what it takes to win.'”