Yes, it's just the preseason, but there's something comforting and reassuring about watching the Black Mamba splash a turnaround, fadeaway jumper to open the scoring for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe Bryant returned from a torn Achilles in December, but played only six games before suffering a knee fracture, which only added to the misery of the worst season in Lakers history.
The Lakers should still be pretty terrible this season in an unforgiving Western Conference, but a healthy Bryant will make them a lot more tolerable to watch.
For what it's worth, Bryant enters the season just 592 points behind Michael Jordan for third on the NBA's all-time scoring list, so you know he'll be gunning to pass MJ.
