Bryant Becoming More Questionable

Kobe Bryant spent another day on the sidelines Sunday while Laker teammates practiced, increasing the likelihood that he will not be in uniform when the regular season begins Friday and that he may even be put on the injured list because of his hip injury.

Of the 22 days the Lakers have either played games or practiced since training camp opened Oct. 4 in Honolulu, Bryant has taken part in only five. He appeared in only two of the eight exhibition contests, totaling 30 minutes.

First, he was recovering from the fractured wrist suffered in a summer pickup game. Then, the 18-year-old swingman preparing to make the jump from high school to the pros took a hard fall Oct. 18 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Forum, coming away with a sore back, which has subsided, and the nagging hip injury.

He hasn’t done any running or contact drills since, a span of nine days.

“I think I’m going to be ready,” Bryant said after getting as far as walking through drills at Loyola Marymount, the first of two workouts he missed Sunday. “I think so. I hope so.”

So, of course, do the Lakers. They’re just not as optimistic.

“Things can change, but I’m not counting on him [for the opener] at this point,” Coach Del Harris said. “I just don’t see how he can be in shape to contribute to a win, unless he’s able to go top speed by Tuesday. He’s got to get in at least three good days of practice.”

And the chances of Bryant opening on the injured list?

“That’s always a possibility. It depends. He’s still day-to-day, but that’s day-to-day to start practicing.”