The Los Angeles Lakers are experiencing the reality of life. One is possibly returning, and another might leave.

As Kobe Bryant’s resilience or stubbornness is driving him to finish his rehab early, D’Antoni’s lack of enthusiasm might be read between the lines.

From ESPN LA, D’Antoni wants to exercise some prudence. "We know that he's capable. It's just going to be a process to get him back. He's a presence, no doubt, and we need that presence, especially at the end of games. But again, we got games to win and there's going to be a bunch of them before he comes back, so we're going to have to do our business."

On the question of whether Kobe dunked: "Two 360s, and he threw the ball off the side of the wall and dunked it one time." D’Antoni is not a master of subtle sarcasm, among other things.

The coach continues to weigh in: "The focal point will be changed totally and we won't be searching about who we're going to at the end of games. Again, there will be a some struggles early, I mean there's no way that he comes back with everything, but at the same time, his 10 percent is better than most people."
While that’s good news no matter what Pringles thinks, sad news for the world of sports may be apparent. Steve Nash, the Lakers’ point guard who’ll turn 40 in February might consider early medical retirement.

The news was tweeted by Peter Vecsey of the NY Post:

I'm hearing Nash's pain is forcing him 2 seriously consider calling it a career. He'd still get $ this yr & next & LA'd get cap relief next

— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) November 19, 2013

Speculation on his retirement started again when he left the game injured. A point to be clarified was that he will receive the entire amount of his contract even if he retired now. It’s highly unlikely that money is Nash’s primary concern though.