Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant is inching closer and closer to a return from a torn Achilles, and he's currently ramping up his workouts in preparation for that return.
NBA news roundup: Kobe Bryant ramping up workouts, Deron Williams could miss start of season
Kobe believes that he could “probably” play in a game right now if it were the postseason.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Bryant still hasn’t done any oncourt work, but he has been doing a lot of running and told Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding that he feels “damn good.” Bryant also told Ding that he could “probably” play in a game right now if it were a playoff game.
Going further, Bryant revealed that he really hasn’t had much pain or soreness as he rehabs from his injury. The Lakers star says the important thing now is getting his range of motion back as well as getting his conditioning back up to snuff.
With the regular season just over two weeks away, it still seems like a bit of a long shot that Bryant will be on the floor for the opener. However, the way he’s talking, the wait won’t be much longer.
D-Will could miss start of season
Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams is currently dealing with an ankle injury suffered during the offseason, and Nets coach Jason Kidd left open the possibility of his star missing the start of the regular season, according to Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York:
“This is going to be a question that we’re probably going to have to deal with every day until he does get the green light to go,” Kidd said Saturday.
“But we’re not rushing him. So if we have to start the season with him still trying to get better, I think we all feel comfortable, but we would feel a little bit more comfortable if he was starting.”
While Williams recently admitted he would miss several more preseason games, he dismissed the notion that he won't be ready by the regular season opener on Oct. 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
More: NetsDaily on Williams
Williams participated in some shooting drills before Saturday night’s preseason game.
Kaman injures finger while tobogganing
File this one away in the "Weird Injuries" folder. Lakers center Chris Kaman smashed his finger while tobogganing with teammates at the Great Wall of China, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
Kaman suffered the injury when Shawne Williams' toboggan rammed into his from behind. Kaman's hand got smashed between the two sleds, and he said he couldn't feel the end of his finger for about an hour.
However, Kaman did say that he would be fine to play in Tuesday's game against the Golden State Warriors.
Still no timetable for Oden return
Miami Heat center Greg Oden again participated in four-on-four fullcourt work at practice on Sunday, but there's still no timetable for his return to game action, according to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
More: Hot Hot Hoops on Oden
After taking part in some contact work earlier in the week, Oden didn't take any contact at Sunday's practice session. Both Oden and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra stressed patience as the big man works his way back into shape.
Oden hasn’t played in a game since 2009 due to a long history of knee issues.
Pelicans cut Hayward
The New Orleans Pelicans waived forward Lazar Hayward on Sunday night, according to John Reid of The Times-Picayune.
Hayward, a first-round pick in 2010, appeared in two preseason games for the Pelicans, totaling two points in 15 minutes.
Hayward has only played in 72 games over three NBA seasons, sporting an average of 2.9 points.
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