Kobe Bryant says he is “85%� sure he’ll play in Lakers’ season opener

Kobe Bryant spoke to reporters for the first time in a week. The news he delivered would please any Lakers fan.

Bryant said he was “85%� sure he would play in the Lakers’ season opener Tuesday against Dallas. He has not played a game or practiced since sustaining a strained right foot Oct. 21 in an exhibition game against Sacramento.

Bryant went through a full shoot-around with the team Tuesday morning and said he would re-evaluate his foot when he arrived at Staples Center later in the day.

“It’s just a matter of how sore it gets from now until I get to Staples,� he said after the shoot-around. “Of course I want to play. We’ve put together a great roster here and I worked real hard this summer to get myself in tip-top shape and be ready to go. I’m not going to play with an injury that’s going to get progressively worse and just limp through the season. I worked too hard for that.�

Bryant had been playing well in the exhibition season, averaging 20.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 26.8 minutes.

“Since [Monday] night, I’m in substantially less pain. The more I ran [Tuesday] the better it got,� he said. “That’s very encouraging.�

Bryant chuckled when asked if he received medical clearance from Lakers trainers.

“I never get clearance,� he said. “Either I’m ready to go or I’m not ready to go. They’ve done a great job treating me and getting me ready. We’ve been together for so long. They trust my judgment.�

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