Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni indicated Kobe Bryant would return before Christmas. Amidst speculation of calling it quits, Steve Nash said he has another "18 months" of basketball left in him, ESPN reports.
Bryant was cleared by the team medical staff last weekend to return to full-contact practice. After two days of practice, Bryant chose to sit out Thursday as a precaution for his surgically-repaired Achilles tendon. Despite missing practice on Thursday, D'Antoni insisted Bryant didn't experience a setback with the injury and hinted Bryant could return to the court by mid-December.
"If he's not too sore and if he keeps playing, [Bryant will return to game action in] a couple more weeks, three weeks," D'Antoni said at an event on Wednesday, according to ESPN.
Nash, meanwhile, denied reports that he's considering retirement. Peter Vecsey tweeted the pain Nash is experiencing from last season's injury is "forcing him (to) seriously consider calling it a career." Vecsey suggested Nash would apply for a medical retirement, which would allow the veteran to earn the remaining salary on his contract.
The 39-year-old dismissed the report on Friday.
"No," Nash said when asked if he's thought about retiring. "Not at all. I don't know where that came from. For me, I realize I have about 18 months left of basketball. I want the most out of this that I can possibly get. I don't know if that's going to be one game or the vast majority of what's left.
"But I've got a long life without basketball so I don't want to give in too soon. I want to try to make the most of this opportunity to play, if I can."
Nash is dealing with nerve issues stemming from when he broke his leg last year. His contract expires after next season.
