Kobe Bryant says he could play under one condition

BEIJING -- Kobe Bryant was still reluctant to provide a timetable for his return but hinted he could play ... sort of.

He planned to run on the court Monday, the day before the Lakers played Golden State.

“After I get out there today and run around a little bit, I might have a better idea,” Bryant said. “If today was a playoff [game] or NBA Finals, could I play? Probably. I don’t know how well I would play, but I’d get out there and do something.”

Bryant, though, has said he needs three weeks of conditioning before practicing with the team.

“I’ve been running on a treadmill and I feel pretty good,” he said. “I haven’t pushed it, pushed it, pushed it yet. I’ve done some pretty heavy running on the treadmill over the last three days.

“I haven’t had any pain or any soreness whatsoever. It’s kind of a flexibility thing, getting the range of motion back. After months of the tendon being compressed, now you kind of have to work to stretch it out a little bit.”

The Lakers begin the regular season Oct. 29 against the Clippers.

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