Kobe Bryant
FILE – In this Jan. 19, 2014 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant watches from the sideline during first-half NBA basketball game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. Bryant won’t be back on the court for the Lakers this season. The Lakers said Bryant was examined by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo, who determined that the left knee injury that has kept Bryant out of the lineup still hasn’t healed. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn, File)
Erik Gundersen
Erik Gundersen is the Trail Blazers beat reporter for The Columbian. He's a graduate of the Allen School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Oregon in addition earning a degree in Spanish. He's covered the NBA for four seasons. You can also occasionally find his work on ESPN.com's NBA section for their TrueCities series. He also fist-bumped with Kanye West once. Follow @BlazerBanter on twitter for more Blazers and NBA news.