In just 24 days since having surgery for a torn left Achilles' tendon, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has updated fans of his status, as he can now stand on his feet without the assistance of a walking boot.
"Foot on the ground!" Bryant wrote on Twitter before showing a picture via Instagram of him doing just that. Bryant then added the hashtags, pray4bear, standup, mambaarmy.
Though he has no need for the walking boot, Bryant isn't routinely walking on his left foot as of yet. His recovery time, however, is moving somewhat ahead of schedule as the original estimated time that he'd stay immobilized was expected to be for a month.
When he changed from a cast to a walking boot two weeks ago, Bryant had indicated that he'd wear the device for a "few months."
Either way this is serves as good news for Bryant and the Lakers as they prepare for the offseason. Though Bryant's news answers some questions about his future, there still remains questions about the future of center Dwight Howard.
Howard is expected to test the free agency market this summer and will hear from other teams, besides the Lakers, for the opportunity to sign the former Defensive Player of the Year.
Though there's much uncertainty about Howard's plans, Bryant hasn't shown much concern on whether or not he believes Howard will re-sign because to him it makes the most sense form a "business standpoint."
"I think Los Angeles is the perfect spot for him to assert himself, kind of put his foot down and have his career really take off and be what it should be. There's no greater place for centers to play than here in Los Angeles," he said.
"From a business standpoint it makes more sense, both contractually and also perception-wise. A lot of things go well for you if you win here."
Howard made his seventh All-Star appearance this season, but his 17.1 points per game were his lowest average since his second season in the league, his 12.4 rebounds were his lowest since his third season, and his 49.2 percent mark from the foul line represented the second straight season he's shot less than 50 percent from the charity stripe.
Once he becomes a free agent this offseason, Howard can sign a five-year, $118 million contract to stay with the Lakers, or a four-year, $87.6 million deal with another team.
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