All indications were that the shoulder injury suffered by Kobe Bryant would force him to miss the remainder of this season.
A report surfaced shortly thereafter that Bryant is “definitely coming back” to play next season -- and after undergoing successful surgery on Wednesday, the timetable for his return would put him right at the cusp of being ready for the start of the 2015-16 campaign.
The official release:Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who injured his right shoulder in last Wednesday night’s game against the Pelicans in New Orleans, underwent a successful surgery this morning to repair a torn rotator cuff. The approximately two-hour procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Dr. Steve Lombardo at the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. Bryant, who is expected to make a full recovery, will be out for approximately nine months.
“I expect Kobe to make a full recovery and if all goes as expected, he should be ready for the start of the season,” said ElAttrache.
Bryant has one more year on his Lakers contract for $25 million, but after seeing three straight seasons now ended prematurely due to injury, it’s worth wondering if the time off will have him considering whether it’s worth it to give it one last shot.