Height/Weight: 6-6/205
| Birthdate: 08/23/1978
| Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
| Team: Los Angeles
| College: No College
| NBA Experience: 15
| Owned/Started%: 99/77 | Average Draft Position: 10.80
Kobe looks fine in return: After missing six games with a shin injury, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was back on the floor on Friday against the Spurs. While there was some concern about whether Bryant, at his age, could step back onto the floor after an extended absence and get back to playing at a high level, Bryant put those worries to rest early, making his first shot attempt and finishing with five points in the first quarter. Bryant would wind up with 18 points in 30 minutes in the game on 7 of 12 shooting, with two rebounds and an assist, as the Lakers lost, 121-97. (Updated 04/21/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/26/12).
Fantasy Analysis
It was good to see Bryant play well in his first game back, as it means Fantasy owners who are still playing in the season’s final week can get him in the starting lineup for the final two games of the season. Bryant has enjoyed a renaissance in his age-33 season, averaging a league-best 28.1 points per game, and should be consider a must-start Fantasy option when healthy. (Updated 04/21/2012).
05/25/2012 15:27 Friday 5 with KB 5.25.12: Coin flips
In this week's edition of the Friday 5 with Ken Berger, the CBSSports.com NBA Senior Writer talks Game 7 between the Celtics and Sixers, the future of the Lakers and Kobe Bryant, and what exactly is going on in Orlando with management and Dwight Howard.
05/25/2012 15:14 Video: A musical plea for Kobe restraint
"You didn't have to take that shot, just drive the lane and dump it off to either Pau or Bynum. Those two guys are really tall, and when you keep it for yourself we never score enough."- A viral video discussing Kobe Bryant's shooting habits.
05/24/2012 00:49 The Lakers' world has turned, and signs say it's leaving Pau Gasol behind
The Lakers complimented Pau Gasol on his professionalism in the face of a tough year, but acknowledged a breakdown in trust between Gasol and the front office. Signs point to a strong possibility Gasol has played his last game as a Laker.
Kobe Bryant put together another solid year in 2010-11, despite dealing with several injuries. He was once again bothered by ankle, knee and finger issues, but somehow managed to play in all 82 games and averaged 25.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per contest. While that was Bryant's lowest scoring output since 2003, he still finished in the top five among all guards in terms of Fantasy points and did so while averaging nearly three minutes less than his career average. However, there are big changes expected in Los Angeles this season, as Phil Jackson and the triangle offense are officially retired and Mike Brown is in. Still, Brown made it perfectly clear that this is Bryant's team and he will continue to get the ball in the sweet spots of the court. Brown will try and run the offense through 7-footers Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol more often, but Kobe will still get his touches and should have no problems retaining his status as an elite option. The 15-year veteran did have another procedure on his troublesome right knee during the offseason, although that shouldn't surprise many people. Bryant's knee may not ever be at 100 percent at this point in his career, but the one thing we have learned is never doubt Kobe. He always seems to find a way to stay on the court and be productive not matter what is ailing him, proven by the fact that he has started all 82 games three of the last four seasons. While he might be getting a little long in the tooth, Bryant remains a must-start option worthy of a first-round pick on Draft Day. (Updated 8/29/11)
