Kobe Bryant won’t play in 2016 Olympics, return to Lakers ‘up in the air’

Dec 31, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. The Bucks defeated the Lakers 94-79. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. The Bucks defeated the Lakers 94-79. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Kobe Bryant
Dec 31, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. The Bucks defeated the Lakers 94-79. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016 Rio Summer Olympics remain in the distance, but that hasn’t stopped injured Los Angeles Lakers guard and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant from saying he will not partake in the games.

Meanwhile, his return to the Lakers remains “up in the air” right now as he is still unable to do anything more than riding the stationary bike. However, he has zero doubts about how strong his Achilles will be when he does make his return to the Lakers whenever that may be.

Bryant has played in six games this season and has not played since Dec. 17 since suffering a fracture in his left knee