Kobe's index finger

BOSTON -- Kobe Bryant gave reporters their first up-close look at his broken right index finger today before the Lakers practice. He usually keeps it hidden from view while speaking to the assembled mob. He often wears a splint while off the court in order to keep from banging it on things during the normal course of the day. But today he showed how the swelling has subsided. It's still puffy, though. He also showed how he can't bend it without pushing it into position. It was kind of gross, although no one turned away.