Jeanie Buss 'not worried' about Kobe's return

Kobe Bryant's last return from a major injury lasted just six games, he turned 36 in August, and he's logged over 54,000 NBA minutes between the regular season and playoffs over his illustrious career.

In other words, there's legitimate reason to at least consider the fact that the Black Mamba may not be able to produce at a level we're all used to. But Lakers President Jeanie Buss doesn't share that worry, as she told Time Warner Cable SportsNet, via Lakers Nation:

Phil told me when Kobe got hurt, he said ‘Jeanie it’s gonna take a year, but he will come back.’ And I know Kobe. He put a lot of pressure on himself to help the team out last season [...] He came back after six months, but now I know he’s healed, and he’s ready to play, so I’m really not worried about him coming back and contributing.

Bryant averaged just 13.8 points on 42 percent shooting in the six games he played last season following his return from a torn Achilles, before a knee fracture ended his campaign.

The Lakers don't figure to be much of a factor in the Western Conference playoff race this season, and Bryant's return, if successful, could be the only bright spot in a lost year for the franchise.

If Kobe looks a shadow of his former self while the Lakers continue to live life near the bottom of the standings, however, the coming season may rival last year's as one of the most forgettable in franchise history.