Kobe Bryant has not been playing competitive basketball since April 12, after he suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon. Now, he is reportedly making his 2013-2014 NBA Season return on Friday, December 5, 2013.

The rumor of the Black Mamba’s early NBA return was due to a statement by Los Angeles Lakers head coach, Mike D’Antoni.

According to D’Antoni,

I don’t want to anticipate anything. Those are days that he can work and see, re-evaluate how he feels after the three days and then make a decision going forward.

That doesn’t mean he will play Friday, doesn’t mean he won’t. But that’s the time you just evaluate, and I can’t tell you what type of evaluation that will be.

He’ll be listed pretty soon as ‘day to day’. And everybody knows that’s the way it is. When he’s ready to roll, he’ll go.

We’ll have three days of practice, and then we’ll know better. We’ll have a better idea.”

Bryant reportedly signed a two-year $48.5 million contract extension last Monday, November 25.

The Lakers superstar player said that it may be “probably weeks” before he will be able to suit up for the purple and yellow jersey. And it may come earlier than expected.

What do you think about Kobe Bryant’s upcoming NBA return? Will he be in good physical shape? Will his Achille’s hold up with the gruelling grind of the NBA? Is he prepping up for a Christmas Day showdown with LeBron James?

Tell us what you think in the comments section below this article.