Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is closer to returning after suffering a torn Achilles tendon nearly six months ago. Bryant said he was given the "green light" to increase the intensity of his workouts, drawing him closer to participating in contact drills. He also admitted he has two steps left before he can return.
While it's good news for his recovery, the perennial All-Star declined to give a timetable. He doesn't want to reinjure himself before his Achilles is fully healed.
"I just keep it all open right now," Bryant said on Wednesday, via ESPN. "... When I'm ready, I'm ready."
Asked how he'll know he's ready, Bryant answered: "Because I feel comfortable. I'll feel comfortable getting out there and jumping and I won't feel like I have 'Bambi' legs or anything like that where my mobility is limited when taking off. So, I'll know then."
Bryant said there're two steps left before returning. The first is regaining the explosiveness in his left leg, according to ESPN. He's progressed to running with his full body weight, which is one step from returning to contact drills.
"It's the explosiveness, the explosiveness and the muscle endurance which takes a little time," said Bryant.
The second step is for 35-year-old to undergo "rigorous conditioning" to get back in shape, something he feels will take just three weeks once the explosiveness returns to his leg.
"I need to get my fat ass in shape," Bryant admitted. "Six months of eating whatever the hell I wanted to eat and not running has caught up to me a little bit. So, I got to get in shape."
Bryant returned this week from Germany after undergoing his second Orthokine treatment on his right knee, a procedure intended to prevent the degeneration of cartilage.
He's unlikely to play in any preseason games, but the possibility still exists for him to be ready for the season opener against the Clippers on Oct. 29. Some believe Bryant won't be ready to return until sometime in November, according to the Los Angeles Times.
