Not a great way to start a road trip
by C.A. Clark on Dec 12, 2009 11:33 AM PST
38 comments
I'm not even going to bother analyzing last night's game. The Lakers beat the Timberwolves 104-92, a double digit victory that didn't even cover the spread. Dex took care of all the analysis you could possibly need for such a ho-hum affair.
The much more important issue was the injury suffered by Kobe Bryant, an avulsion fracture to the tip of the index finger on his shooting hand. Kobe being Kobe, he won't miss any time. But he has acknowledged that the location of the injury means it will be more difficult to remain effective through the injury than he has in the past. Kobe's ability to play (and play well) through injuries is as impressive as it is well-documented. So when he says he's concerned that the injury will be more difficult to deal with, we have to take him at his word. In his own words, he will "just have to get used to it", and "it's just a different technique to shoot the ball".
And there couldn't be a worse time for Kobe to not be 100%. Obviously, it would be considerably worse if Kobe had injured himself badly enough that he'd have to miss time, but the Lakers are just now entering a stretch of 19 of 28 on the road. Normally, in road games, Kobe is much more aggressive to start the game, establishing success for his teammates to build confidence upon. He usually fills up the scoreboard a bit more on the road. So, for the Lakers to go through nearly half of their road schedule with Kobe not hitting on all cylinders would be a significant blow.
There's no player in the NBA more capable of dealing with this type of situation than Kobe. He'll find a way to be effective on the floor. But if his shooting struggles over the next few weeks as he adjusts to dealing with the injury, if he turns the ball over a bit more because he doesn't have the handling he's used to, it could very well make the difference between wins and losses. The Lakers road games can end up pretty tight affairs, and the difference between a healthy Kobe and a hurt Kobe could be enough to cause L.A. to end up with a few more disappointments over this stretch.
And if it happens, no one should panic. If the Lakers lose a bad game to some scrub of the NBA, just let it go. This injury doesn't change much, but it might not be a bad idea to temper your expectations for the Lakers over the next few weeks.
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I HIGHLY recommend,
Kobe sit out a couple games. Just let the fracture heal itself. Besides, it says that all it takes to heal is rest and if can sit out maybe a week or so, it should be okay. I know he probably wont even sit out a game but if he bangs it again, it could end up being much worse than it shoulda been. What you think he should do C.A.?
I'm not bothered by Kobe deciding to play through it.
I think if there was a significant chance that playing with the injury would leave Kobe open to the possibility of injuring it worse than it already is (and thereby making him miss a lot of time), then I don’t think they’d let him play with it.
If the injury is just pain, and any chance of re-aggravating it or making it worse would only cause Kobe more pain, and he knows that and wants to play through, so be it. Lord knows Kobe’s pain threshold is as high as anybody’s.
It’s the same conversation as the one we all had about his ligament two years ago. He played through, and played through well. He knows the difference between playing with pain and playing with something that doesn’t work right, and so does the training staff.
I know it’s important, I honestly do but we’re talking about the regular season. We’re talking about the regular season man. We’re talking about the regular season. We’re not talking about the playoffs. We’re talking about the season. When you come to the arena, and you see him play, you’ve seen him play right, you’ve seen him give everything he’s got, but we’re talking about the regular season right now
He should definitely take a week or few off. The injury doesn’t seem too bad but you would hate for it to get any worse. Besides, the Lakers were what, 10 games ahead of anyone else in the West last year? If they enjoy the same successes this year (they look every bit as good) they can afford to keep Kobe healthy.
exactly
we have enough talent to win most games even without KB.
by desecrator09 on Dec 12, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions
Have you guys forgotten who you're talking about?
Kobe is not about to sit a single game out, much less an entire week. This is the Mamba. This isn’t Lebron James who would probably take a month off, and this isn’t Paul Pierce who would ask for a wheel chair. This is Kobe Bryant.
by KobesNIG on Dec 12, 2009 1:25 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
funny ass screen name
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 12, 2009 1:39 PM PST up reply actions
funnierrrrrrr!
awesome!
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 12, 2009 2:00 PM PST up reply actions
yeah we know that
but just cuz he wont doesnt mean he should. What if he gets it banged hard again and it ends up being a full fracture? Then, hes out for 6 weeks? Hes got to think about these things sometimes and look at the potential consequences. Sitting out 1 friggin week isnt gonna hurt us anyways. At least he should sit out today’s game, we’re probably gonna lose anyways.
by desecrator09 on Dec 12, 2009 1:45 PM PST up reply actions
KObe on playing hurt...let's not forget who we are talking about.
I probably won’t play tomorrow night or until I’m ready. But I don’t need Shaq’s advice on how to play hurt. I’ve played with IVs before, during and after games. I’ve played with a broken hand, a sprained ankle, a torn shoulder, a fractured tooth, a severed lip, and a knee the size of a softball. I don’t miss 15 games because of a toe injury that everybody knows wasn’t that serious in the first place.
I can’t doubt he can do anything on the court…. A badly hurt finger, shooting with the left and with his eyes closed is a million times better than a 100% healthy Sasha. Kobe’s precense provides the courage that the other players need. Also with him being in there it will always keep the opposing team wondering how they will defend the Lakers.
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 12, 2009 2:08 PM PST reply actions
btw..this quote is from 2003 during the Shaq fued
but still applies today. Toughest guard I have seen since the 80’s. Well he Isiah and AI…
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 12, 2009 2:18 PM PST up reply actions
good point
Somehow when I think of MJ the word “tough” doesn’t come to mind. I think the ref’s protected him too much for him ever get that hurt. I mean, early in his career playing with the Pistons, yes. But after that he earned the respect (well deserved) of the officials. When I think of “tough” I do think of Kobe and AI for sure. Have always and consistently played with injuries. I don’t even have a vauge memory of a significant MJ injury. But, i’m sure someone here will remind me.
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 12, 2009 3:59 PM PST up reply actions
MJ injured his foot in 1985 and missed 64 games.
by DexterFishmore on Dec 12, 2009 4:03 PM PST up reply actions
And then...
Proceeded to ruin my childhood and put the stake in my beloved sonics (you think they would have moved if the beat MJS bulls? i doubt it. im biased but there is only one MJ to me and his name was Earvin “Magic” Johnson.
kb24
YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD YES!
www.reverbnation.com/czheckproductions
I knew someone would mentioned it. Thanx
I still don’t think of MJ as being tough. He was tough in the sense of having a tough personality but as far as being known as a player that played with serious injuries I don’t recall him being that type of player.
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 12, 2009 4:51 PM PST up reply actions
maybe because he hardly ever got any injuries
or if he did, nobody knew about them cuz he always played through them. I’d say Michael Jordan was pretty fucking tough lol.
by desecrator09 on Dec 12, 2009 4:53 PM PST up reply actions
You're forgetting the flu game
in the 1997 Finals. Also, Jordan took an unbelievable number of hard hits from the Knicks and Pistons in the late ’80s and early ’90s, and he kept on ticking. His toughness is well established.
by DexterFishmore on Dec 12, 2009 4:57 PM PST up reply actions
Memo for Phil
Gasol needs more looks …..please
Aversion to avulsion
Been there..done that one…super painful….can’t imagine catching a ball at NBA speed with that injury….wow…To even get slapped or have my hand squeezed hurt unbelievably and he is going to play and be effective no doubt….incredible….
by 3for5spotshooter on Dec 12, 2009 3:05 PM PST reply actions
about damn time we have a road game
i dont know about you guys but im getting sick of home games
the lakers need to go out the road and get tested
i love it when they play in utah
its one of my favorite places to watch em play
their hostile crowd makes the game a lot more exciting and fun to watch
Leave Chad Billingsley alone!!!
he should try to work in the paint more tonight
it will be tough with pau and bynum clogging the lane
but i think its better than having him shoot jumpers since his finger is messed up
Leave Chad Billingsley alone!!!
Per Mike Trudell
Phil said Kobe could be in the finger splint for about two weeks, though the injury typically takes 4-to-6 from which to heal.
This cloud could have a silver lining
If Kobe decides to take fewer shots while he heals it really could lead to the Lakers being a more efficient team by leaning more heavily on Pau and Drew inside. In particular the best side effect of this could just be more offensive focus for Drew, and hopefully him learning more about playing in the post. Though Drew is already unquestionably one of the top couple post scorers in the league, he needs to work a bit on passing out of double teams and kicking it out and reposting. Extra touches could go a long way to helping in those areas, and just keeping his confidence sky high.
I'm fine with Kobe playing but down the line, I might be concened
Is this injury gonna be bigger then we think? Do we have too much faith in Kobe to fight through this? And will the Lakers really need him tonight vs. Utah? Kobe can extend the healing process or hurt it more, if he continues to play on it. And we really need a aggressive Kobe come Playoffs, the regular season is just something to wear players down until the showdown comes, if Kobe can’t perform then, thats gonna sting, we already saw what happened to Boston, I’m not ready to overlook this injury. Kobe has the biggest mismatch vs. Utah and he was very important in that run Lakers made vs. Utah in the last game, if he plays alittle unlike his-self Lakers could be in for a long game but I still favor them to win tonight cause Jazz suck.
There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be commited against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the LimeLight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.
Why is Odom playing below his ability? Two words
Kloe KarCashian
not sure if you are a new Lakers fan
but if you are asking that question then you must not know LO’s history. You are asking the same question that we have all been asking since he became a Laker. It has nothing to do with Khloe. It has to do with LO.
"These young guys are playing checkers. I'm out there playing chess" - Kobe
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Dec 13, 2009 7:48 PM PST up reply actions
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