Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Players to Watch on Opening Night

By Maxwell Ogden

October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during a stoppage in play against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 19, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during a stoppage in play against the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Oct 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts against the Utah Jazz at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) reacts against the Utah Jazz at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 36

2013-14 Games Played: 6

2013-14 Season Averages: 10.74 PER, 29.5 MPG, 13.8 PPG, 6.3 APG, 4.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG

2013-14 Slash Line: .425/.188/.857

On Tuesday, October 28, Kobe Bryant will play a regular season game for the first time since December 17, 2013. The 36-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star was sidelined by a fractured left knee after previously returning from a torn left Achilles tendon.

If that’s not enough for you, try this: Tuesday marks the first time Bryant has played Dwight Howard since the overblown Lakers fiasco.

Bryant played in just six games in 2013-14 before going down with the previously alluded to knee injury. He averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals on a slash line of .425/.188/.857.

According to Baxter Holmes of ESPN Los Angeles, Bryant understands that Game 1 of the 2014-15 NBA regular season is just the first step in a long road to recovery.

"“It’s step one of a long journey,” Bryant said after his team’s practice at their facility here Monday. “I’m excited to get back out there. I can’t say I haven’t missed the game. I’ve missed it so much.” “Everything,” Bryant said. “Being at practice every day, being with teammates every day, the sound of the ball, the squeak of the sneakers, the smell of the leather. Absolutely everything.” “It’s just about finding a balance, trying to keep poised and keep calm and try not to get over the top,” Bryant said."

It’s a long process, but it’s one that Bryant’s track record suggests he’ll succeed in completing.

Regardless of how you believe he’ll fair, Bryant returning to the hardwood is one of the biggest events of the season. The 16-time All-Star is entering his 19th season in the league and is widely considered to be a Top 10 player all-time.

Bryant closed out the preseason with 27, 26 and 27-point performances. On Tuesday, the show will cross into the regular season.