Bryant says his sore back remains a problem

Kobe Bryant met the media Monday with a new companion - an electronic stimulation device hooked up to his sore lower back.

Plans call for the two to spend a lot of time together for the next couple of days, or longer.

The Los Angeles Lakers' star tweaked his back in the opening minutes of Sunday's 123-115 overtime loss at Utah that tied the Western Conference semifinals 2-2.

``It's pretty sore right now,'' Bryant said Monday. ``It's tight. It's to be expected the next day, I guess. I don't know how I made it through the game, to be honest with you.''

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[Sampson]

I have had my fair share of back problems, and let me tell you, it's tough. I can't imagine having those back issues and being professional athelete. I always wondered how your body would feel after playing as hard as these guys do.