In fact, the first quarter of the Lakers-Hornets Game 5 matchup bordered on nightmarish for the Los Angeles hopefuls.
Bryant looked tentative with the basketball and the Lakers were down 32-23 before we knew it.
But who were we kidding?
This is Kobe Bryant, after all.
The guy plays on bum knees, broken fingers and a widespread assortment of injuries.
If you tell Bryant that this is the NBA playoffs, there's no chance he's going to sit out with an injury.
Bryant came to life in the second quarter and helped the Lakers retake the lead by asserting himself and attacking the basket showing no fear.
Against Hornets center Emeka Okafor, Bryant threw down a tremendous exclamation point of a dunk that proved his ankle is just fine.
Once again, Bryant proved his critics wrong.
He's not old, he's not going to be slowed by an injury and there's no need to write off his Lakers just yet.
Just watch the video and see for yourself.
The Mamba can still fly.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
