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NBA star Kobe Bryant has been officially medically cleared to participate in all basketball related activities, according to ESPN.com. The Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard tore his rotator cuff while dunking in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in late January.
A nine-month convalescence was said to be needed after surgery. This is the thirty-seven-year old’s third consecutive season-ending injury. His last two seasons were prematurely ended by Achilles and knee injuries.
In a statement made to USA Today, Mitch Kupchak said that Bryant’s recovery is complete and he is expected to be a part of the near month-long training camp that will commence on September 29th in Hawaii. This will be Bryant’s 20th season with the Lakers.
Pre-injury in the 19th season, Bryant averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 35 games, but made only 37.3% of his shots, which is a career low for the five-time NBA Champion. The season was characterized by inconsistency for Bryant.
The seventeen-time NBA All-Star is in the final year of a $25 million contract with the Lakers and has stated that he will make a decision on his retirement after the end of his contract. His is the highest valued contract in the league.
Considering the value Bryant adds to the team and his recent string of injuries, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott has expressly stated that his star player will only play for a limited duration in each match. The decision to play Bryant in back-to-back games is not yet forthcoming. Scott, who drew heavy flak for the Lakers’ unimpressive season last time, would certainly be very hopeful of Bryant staying fit right through the season.
Bryant is one of the NBA’s most decorated players, and is considered amongst the greatest of all time. He was, at the time, the youngest player to make an NBA debut at 18 years, 72 days old. He became the youngest player to reach 30,000 career points at 34 years old.
He is best remembered as one half of the three-peat duo, alongside former teammate Shaquille O’Neal. The two were part of a Lakers team that won three consecutive championships from 2000-2002. They formed one of the most formidable guard-center combinations in NBA history.
An eight-year dry run would follow, marred by controversy. But Bryant would strike gold again with two consecutive titles in 2009 and 2010.
