[insidehoops]

“Has he had any setbacks?

“No,” Howard said.

Are there games he’s played that are tougher than others?

Howard quickly shook his head no.

Moments later, Kobe Bryant revealed what Howard refused to acknowledge.

“It’s been frustrating for him because of the nature of the injury and trying to come back and meet the expectations we all have for him,” Bryant said. “It’s tough to deal with that when you’re not physically the same player that you were. It’s been frustrating for him. But to his credit, he’s battling through it and figuring out ways to be effective.”

-- LA Daily News Blog