Kobe Bryant, aka The Black Mamba, will return to the court for the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night.Bryant said he is feeling about 85 percent recovered from his ankle problems but also ready to perform like a speedy, graceful animal.  "I feel fine," Bryant, who has missed five games plus the All-Star Game because of a left ankle sprain and sore tendon, told the Los Angeles Times. "I feel like a gazelle."

Bryant also said he is prepared to return "while I play to get to 100 percent."  Lakers coach Phil Jackson didn't say how many minutes Bryant would get against the Grizzlies, but if Kobe feels like being Kobe, he will most likely be in the entire game.

It has been 18 days since his last game, and in that time, the Lakers have gone 4-1.  The only game during Kobe's absence that made the Lakers seem vulnerable came against the Boston Celtics in a hard-fought battle, which they eventually lost 87-86. Teammates Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Shannon Brown have all stepped up their games to fill the void of not having Kobe on the floor.

"Everybody is playing with a pretty good rhythm. The key is just to keep it going," said Kobe.

Forward Ron Artest sounded unconcerned about any adjustments. "It's how we're looking getting back with Kobe," Artest said. "Don't get it twisted now. This is the Mamba show and we're happy to have him back."

The Lakers are now (42-14) trailing half a game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers (43-14) for the NBA's best overall record. There are only 26 more games to go until the "real" NBA season begins.