A cryptic tweet from Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant set rumors ablaze about him returning on Nov. 15 against the Memphis Grizzlies. Steve Nash, meanwhile, dismissed trade talks about him being dealt to the Toronto Raptors.
With the Lakers sitting at 2-3, people are anxious for Bryant's return - anxious enough to read into Bryant's avatar change and subsequent tweet as a hint to when he may return.
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 5, 2013
At this point, everything is speculation; Bryant's cryptic message could mean anything or nothing at all. But it didn't stop "#bearhunt" from quickly being associated to the Lakers' Nov. 15 home game against Memphis as the return date for Bryant.
"#Blackout", then, is thought to be a reference to the Lakeshow's new "Hollywood Night" alternate jerseys.
While Bryant is reportedly ahead of schedule with his rehab, he has declined to offer any timetable for his return.
"We're all being pretty smart about the process and taking our time and making sure I come back ready to go," Bryant told NBA TV on Tuesday, via ESPN. "I think the most difficult part is the process I'm going through right now, that's the patience. To me, that's the hardest part.
"The game to me isn't necessarily difficult. I grew up, fortunately, understanding the fundamentals of the game and footwork and spacing, timing and things of that nature. I feel like I can adjust my game to whatever it is I can do physically - whether I have lift or I don't have lift or if I have the same explosiveness or I don't have the same explosiveness, I feel like I'll be able to adjust just fine."
Barring any setbacks, Bryant's return is expected sometime in November, according to the L.A. Times.
Nash, meanwhile, became the subject of trade rumors this week.
"Steve Nash is another vet who may be traded this year," Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld tweeted on Sunday. "I've heard Toronto as a possible landing spot for Nash from multiple league sources."
The 39-year-old veteran, who's working to overcome the lingering effects of breaking his leg last season, didn't put any stock into the report.
"Well, that's something that all players have faced in their career. After 18 years, I don't put much into the rumor mill," Nash told "The Jim Rome Show" on Tuesday, via LakersNation. "I expect to be here and I feel like I'm climbing out of the injuries. I want to be the player I was and I hope that's here in LA."
Nash's contract expires after next season.
