The joys of NBA media days. Not only are they an informal reminder that the NBA season is right around the corner, but it’s the perfect tie for all connected with a particular franchise to spew optimism, regardless the topic.
Case-and-point? Mitch Kupchak, general manager for the Los Angeles Lakers, who had high remarks on what he expects superstar Kobe Bryant to do this upcoming season.
Rather you’d classify his comments as optimistic, Kupchak’s thoughts reflect many opinion found within the general public. And for every Laker (and Kobe Bryant) fan that believe Kobe won’t miss any steps following two serious leg injuries, there’s a fan who believes Kobe will be nowhere near as good as he was in 2012-13.
And in some way that’s fair — both sides are actually.
For the first time in his career, Bryant’s season will be on a trial-and-error basis. No one truly knows what to expect from the five-time NBA champion. Using the six-game sample size from last season isn’t fair criticism because it’s just that, a six-game sample size. Using anything prior to Kobe’s injury isn’t fair either because that was a player who was healthy –at least in comparison to how his body is now.
One way we’ll find out how well Kobe will play? Opening night, and no other way.
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