(Sports Network) - Los Angeles Lakers All-Star guard Kobe Bryant has decided to forgo surgery on his right pinkie. After seeking numerous opinions from hand specialists, Bryant expressed that he did not want to miss any time on the court when Lakers training camp opens later this month.

"I have always felt that I can still focus and play at a high level even through various injuries," Bryant said in a statement on his Web site. "That's really just part of the game. When the doctors told me recovery from a procedure could be 12 weeks, I just decided now was not the time to have surgery.

"What it really came down to for me is that I just didn't want to miss any time 'punching the clock' for the Lakers, given all we are trying to accomplish as a team this NBA season. I am just really excited and looking forward to being there with the guys when camp opens in a few weeks. That is a real bonding process and if I can avoid being on the sidelines for that, God willing, I will."

Bryant, fresh off an Olympic Gold Medal performance in Beijing, averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists last season en route to earning NBA MVP honors for the Western Conference champion Lakers.













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