BRYANT HEALING
Bryant reported improvement in his right pinky finger as a result of nonstop treatment with pads, ice or electro-stimulant since the Lakers' loss in Atlanta on Wednesday night. He said he would play Friday against Orlando without taping the injured finger to his ring finger.
"I have to," he said. "I just can't handle or shoot the way I want to (with the tape)."
Bryant joked that he could have picked up "a couple more fans" by continuing to wear the tape that made his hand resemble the "Star Trek" Vulcan greeting. But he acknowledged the injury might result in him skipping the Feb. 17 All-Star Game and the 3-point contest the previous day.
"Maybe," he said. "We'll have to see how it goes."
"Kupchak was on AM570, he says Bynum looks good, you wouldn’t even know he was injured. The swelling in his knee is way down. He’s working out in gym and looks to be on schedule."
He should be returning before the end of march. In addition to running on a elliptical machine as past as a 4 hour rehab program, Bynum is watching a 3 hour video tape featuring Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal & Hakeem Olajuwon each day. Still no prognosis on Ariza, he will be evaluated in a few weeks to see the progress.