The Lakers and Kobe Bryant, rarely understated, did not disappoint in the star’s return to NBA play Sunday.
Bryant finished Sunday’s game with just nine points and four assists, but he began it with a bang, taking the Staples Center court with the arena darkened, the crowd cheering and the “Imperial March” from Star Wars — Darth Vader’s music — playing as he charged out for the first time since last year’s season-ending Achilles injury.
It’s worth wondering whether Bryant will ever be back to his previous form, especially considering the nature of his injury and that Bryant’s 35-year-old body already has some decent tear on it. But Bryant rehabbed hard in the offseason and has been eager to return to the Lakers, who still have some talent despite being picked to finish low in the Western Conference. (They are 10-10 after losing to the Toronto Raptors in Sunday night’s game.)
Watch Bryant’s triumphant return — with all those Dark Side implications — in the video below.
Photo of the Day
The legend grows — and becomes caked with snow.
Photo via Twitter/@jonnyfootball
Tweet of the Day
Kobe Bryant, the jokester.
[tweet https://twitter.com/mcten/status/409921006644391936 align=’center’]
Video of the Day
The unhappy Rob Ryan headshake is always a winner (via @cjzero).
