Lakers hope star can be back in time for start of next campaign

Kobe Bryant had surgery on Saturday on his torn Achilles' tendon, ending his season with two games left in the Los Angeles Lakers' playoff chase.

Lakers trainer Gary Vitti thinks Bryant will need at least six to nine months for recovery from the most serious injury of his 17-year NBA career. Given Bryant's history of swift recovery from countless minor injuries, Vitti and Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak believe the 34-year-old guard could be back for their season opener in the fall.