Kobe Bryant injury: Lakers star reportedly targets August return to full activity

Los Angeles Lakers' star Kobe Bryant is reportedly well ahead of schedule with his rehab from a torn Achilles tendon, and he hopes to return to full activity by mid August, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles.

Bryant tore his Achilles late in a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 12. The injury torpedoed the Lakers' chances at a lengthy playoff run, and sans Bryant, they went on to get swept in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs.

Bryant said last month that he hopes to be back by November or December at the latest, but there's still an outside chance that he will return in time for opening night. In fact, Dr. Robert Klapper, an orthopedic surgeon in Los Angeles, proclaimed Wednesday that Bryant would be ready to go on opening night.

When Bryant first suffered the injury, some thought that he could miss a full year due to his age and the level of wear and tear on his body. But the Black Mamba is a different animal, and it shouldn't surprise anybody if he's out there when the Lakers tipoff the 2013-14 season.

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