Kobe Bryant said he would ‘probably’ play if this were the playoffs

Kobe spoke to the media before the Lakers headed to China, and he said he has to ramp up his activities, and then use 3 more weeks to get in shape. That essentially meant that he would probably miss the season opener on October 29th against the Clippers. Now that the Lakers are in China, he is saying those activities have already been ramped, according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report:

"Before Lakers practice, Bryant said, “I feel pretty damn good, so I’m going to get out today and try to move around on the court.”He wound up doing his running on the arena-concourse level of MasterCard Center instead of doing any on-court work, but it was still progress as he formulates a better idea of when he can join full practice."

That means he is feeling good enough that he could possibly play, but it was the first part of Ding’s piece that said it all:

"In the land where they worship him for his work ethic, Kobe Bryant said Monday that the long rehabilitation from his Achilles tendon tear has reached the point where “if today was a playoff or NBA Finals [game], could I play? Probably.”"

Kobe’s obsession for getting better is psychotic, but it is why he is one of the greatest ever. It surprises no one that Kobe can play just 6 months after rupturing his achilles, and it shows he truly isn’t human. He still may sit out, but it seems as if he may not miss too much time, if any at all.