As Lakers' star Kobe Bryant continues his path toward recovery, Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News hears from team athletic trainer Gary Vitti that the 35-year-old guard is a few weeks away from advancing to full-weight bearing running and hasn't suffered any setbacks. With that being said, Vitti added that there still isn't a projected return date. Here's more out of the Western Conference tonight, including another injury update from Medina:
- As for most recent second-round pick Ryan Kelly (whom Vitti says is "asymptomatic"), the trainers have still decided to take a conservative approach with his rehab and aren't sure when he'll be returning to action either.
- Tony Parker tells Mark Woods of ESPN that general manager R.C. Buford wants him to play less minutes at Eurobasket, but added that he has a great relationship with the Spurs and appreciates them letting him play for the French national team.
- Dan McCarney of Spurs Nation relays a snippet of Marco Belinelli's interview with HoopsHype, noting that the 27-year-old guard chose San Antonio over several other teams because of the opportunity to play for Gregg Popovich and a chance to win a championship.
- Rockets guard Jeremy Lin tells Mark Berman of Fox 26 about how great it was to work out with Hakeem Olajuwon and says that "anybody with (Dwight Howard) is a deadly combination" in response to the 50-year-old's recent comments about Lin and Howard being a potent duo next season (All Twitter links).
There is a good chance Barnes does not come out early. He stated very early on that he wants his undergrad and MBA before he is done. Also, its very likely he stays if UNC does not win. I would say its 50/50 he stays v. goes if UNC is not National Champs. If the Tarheels win, which could happen, I say Hensen and Barnes are both gone.
Barnes is extremely intelligent, he had a 4.0 coming into UNC. His job prospects are not all linked to the NBA. Playing in the NBA while a goal is not a priority for Barnes as it might be for a one and doner like the guys on Kentucky who are just there bc David Stern is making them go to college for 1 season.