Still no Kobe; Brown and Gasol guessing he’ll play Tuesday
Once again Kobe Bryant sat out Lakers practice Saturday with a bruised foot.
Once again he watched practice and received treatment.
Will he make it opening night Tuesday at Staples Center against the Dallas Mavericks?
“I don’t know,” said Coach Mike Brown. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he did.”
Bryant hurt the foot last Sunday in a preseason game against the Sacramento Kings, sitting out the final two exhibitions as the Lakers went 0-8.
Teammate Pau Gasol echoed Brown’s sentiment.
“Knowing Kobe, I think he’ll play,” Gasol said. “He plays through so much.”
Brown wouldn’t commit to a replacement if Bryant doesn’t go, but the decision would be between reserve guards Jodie Meeks and Devin Ebanks.
“It’s a little weird that he’s been out for this long and it’s shown that he’s in pain,” said Gasol.
Brown will ultimately defer to the team’s long-time trainer, Gary Vitti.
“At the end of the day it’s going to be Gary’s call,” Brown said.
The Lakers struggled through the preseason, but had a healthy roster together for just one game.
Naturally, the team hopes to start the regular season on the right foot, specifically Bryant’s right foot.
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You can email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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