Coach Mike D’Antoni’s early take on Kobe Bryant’s return to practice

After a strong practice on Tuesday, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant wasn’t quite as strong at the team’s practice on Wednesday, according to Coach Mike D’Antoni.

“Kobe looks good,� D’Antoni said Wednesday at Staples Center during the 10th annual Lakers All-Access event.

“I mean he hasn’t played since April,� D’Antoni said. “He’s a little rusty. I thought the first day he looked better than the second day, but that’s normal.�

Bryant returned to light practice on Saturday after spending about seven months rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon.

The Lakers have managed to win five of 12 games without him. Steve Nash has also missed half of the young season, sitting out with back and nerve issues.

“Steve hasn’t been around, so we haven’t seen him,� D’Antoni said.

On Nov. 11, Nash was shut down for at least two weeks.

Bryant’s teammates said they are happy to have their star guard nearing a return.

“Just to have him out there, kind of raises the intensity of everyone across the board� said Jordan Farmar.

Bryant’s return may not come until early December -- although the veteran guard is, if anything, unpredictable.

Lakers All-Access, hosted by play-by-play announcer Bill Macdonald, is an event for fans, with proceeds split between the Lakers Youth Foundation and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission.

Macdonald led two panels, the first with team governor Jeanie Buss, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes and Luke Walton. The second featured Nick Young, Steve Blake, Kurt Rambis, Farmar and D’Antoni.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.