Kobe Bryant took another step towards his increasingly imminent return to game action on Tuesday afternoon in El Segundo, completing a full practice with no restrictions, including a full-court scrimmage. “Today was a good day, so we’ll see tomorrow how he reacts,” said Mike D’Antoni, who will oversee two more days of practice ahead of Friday’s game at Sacramento. “Today was a big step forward.” Bryant was on the floor alongside starters Steve Blake, Wesley Johnson, Jordan Hill and Pau Gasol to close practice; though he appeared content mostly to create shots for others*, Bryant did turn some heads with a strip of Xavier Henry and resulting dunk on the other end. He did not appear limited in any way as his full recovery from Achilles surgery progresses by the day. “He does that in practice sometimes, explained D’Antoni. “He can get his shot when he wants to. He goes back and forth.”
Ray Blessed 