Armed Robbers Kept Kobe from Practicing

It takes five gun-toting men to keep Kobe Bryant from stepping on the basketball court -- we're told the superstar had to miss a Los Angeles Lakers practice this morning in the wake of a violent robbery in his neighborhood.

Sources close to the team tell TMZ Kobe was issued an "excused absence" from a team shootaround at the Lakers practice facility this morning.

Unfortunately for the Utah Jazz, we're told Kobe is expected to play tonight.