Kobe Bryant expected to play around 20 minutes in return, D'Antoni not setting strict limit

Apr 9, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers power shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the second half against the New Orleans Hornets at the Staples Center. Lakers won 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Tomorrow is truly going to be an interesting day in the world of sports. Not only do we have a full slate of NFL games but in the world of basketball the day marks the epic return of Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup. After tearing his Achilles back in April, Bryant will be stepping onto the court for a live game for the first time in eight months.

But despite having him come back from a devastating injury, Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni isn’t going to be overly cautious with Kobe back in the lineup. Speaking to the media today about his star’s big return, D’Antoni expressed that he’s not going to limit Kobe’s minutes on Sunday, rather he’s going to keep an eye on things.

D’Antoni on Kobe’s minutes tomorrow: “Somewhere in the 20s, but not more than that.” No strict limitations, “we’ll just watch it.”
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 7, 2013

Kobe’s return to the court after only eight months is nothing short of a Lakers miracle, as the injury is historically hard to come back from. But Kobe playing in the game and Kobe playing well in the game are two different things and we won’t know until Sunday which of the two sides of the superstar we’ll see.

D’Antoni further elaborated that he’s not going to put Kobe into situations that will force him to over exert himself, but he’s also not going to put a skirt on him either.

The Lakers battle the Toronto Raptors tomorrow for Kobe’s big return.

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Kobe Bryant expected to play around 20 minutes in return, D’Antoni not setting strict limit

By Josh Hill | Dec 7, 2013