Lakers' Bryant likely out for season opener: coach

Adam Rose
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant gestures to his teammates before their game against the Golden State Warriors at the NBA Global Games in Beijing, October 15, 2013. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

By Adam Rose BEIJING (Reuters) - Kobe Bryant's recovery from an Achilles injury will likely keep him out of his team's season-opener in two weeks, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni said on Tuesday. Bryant, 35, suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles' tendon last April and only recently returned from Germany where he had an innovative procedure on an arthritic right knee. "No, I don't think so," D'Antoni told reporters when asked if Bryant would be ready for the Lakers' 2013-14 season opener versus the Los Angeles Clippers on October 29. "It's an ongoing process, but that would be tough." Bryant, a five-time National Basketball Association champion and 15-time All-Star, was with his team for Tuesday's pre-season game in Beijing and watched from the Lakers bench as the Golden State Warriors enjoyed a 100-95 win. The two teams will play again on Friday in Shanghai. (Reporting By Adam Rose; Editing by Frank Pingue)