Mike D'Antoni: 'Kobe Bryant may take time to play above the rim'

Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni has said that it will take time for Kobe Bryant to start playing above the rim again, after the forward made his comeback from an eight-month absence yesterday.

Bryant featured as the Lakers lost to the Toronto Raptors, thanks to standout performances from Los Angeles-natives Amir Johnson and DeMar DeRozan.

"He's not going to be above the rim for a while, which is fine," D'Antoni told reporters.

"There's been great players that have played below the rim. He'll have to do that for a little bit."

The Lakers are fourth in the Pacific Division with a record of 10-10 for the season so far.