via assets.nydailynews.com

Almost this entire month, Kobe has struggled from the field.  He has a couple of solid games, but for the most part he has struggled to shoot effectively.  Here are some of his numbers from recent games:

January 5th  vs Houston (9-23)

January 6th @  Clippers (10-30)

January 8th @ Portland (14-37)

January 10th vs Milwaukee (4-21) 

January 18th vs Orlando (4-19)

January 21st @ Cleveland (12-31)

January 22nd @ New York (8-24)

After a hot start to the season at 48.2% his FG% has dropped dramatically down to 45.8% after about 3 weeks of play.  In these games he made a 61 of 185 shot attempts from the field which is about 33% shooting.  The entire month of January so far, he has made 102 of 265 shot attempts from the field which is about 38.5% shooting.  Clearly the avulsion fracture to his finger, and back spasms for a brief stretch have been causing these problems.

In case you did not know what an avulsion fracture is : 

 Avulsion fractures are typically caused when so much force is exerted on a tendon or ligament that it pulls away, tearing off a chunk of bone along the way.  

(http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-avulsion-fracture.htm)

via radiographics.rsna.org

By resting the affected area, icing it periodically, and using anti-inflammatory drugs to keep down inflammation and infection, the avulsion fracture can be treated. Sometimes, however, a large piece of bone is removed, or the bone is significantly dislocated. In these instances, surgery is required to address the fracture. (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-avulsion-fracture.htm)

via farm5.static.flickr.com

here's a picture of the splint Kobe has to wear on that finger because of the fracture.

My ultimate question is: Why has he been so stubborn to take a some time to rest that finger??   The whole situation reminds me of the game at Utah in December.  It was the second night of a back to back and it was the first game after Kobe's avulsion fracture vs Minnesota.  On top of that, he had a stomach ailment which affected his overall energy.  When he said that he would play in the game at Utah, most of us here thought Kobe has played through similar injuries before with his pinky finger, so it would be fine if he played.  Unfortunately that was not the case.  He shot an awful 7 of 24 from the field and was partly to blame for the loss.  The ultimate question is why did Kobe even try to play in that game?  If he is not physically able to play why bother playing and possibly risk further injury to that finger??  

The reason I assume is because he hates losing, he thinks if he takes a seat on the bench, it will look like he is letting the team down because he is not helping them in any type of way.   I know he wants to be tough and help the team out but these awful numbers simply will not get the job done.  

Another question is why is Phil so passive on the situation.  As said by the great Timbo, Phil needs to step in at some point and make Kobe take a rest or skip a game.  By just letting him go out there with an injury and shooting this poorly is a huge knock on his duties as a coach.  Other coaches have done this in the past.  Take for example last season.  The San Antonio Spurs were battered up and injured.  On the second night of a back to back in Denver,  Spurs Coach Greg Poppovich, chose to bench Duncan, Parker and a few of the starters and just toss the game.  He did not really care about the one loss, but he did care about the long term benefit of giving his aging starters a rest.  

Thats exactly what Phil should do, tell Kobe to take a seat and let the rest of the crew try to solve problems on their own.  Not only would it do wonders to Kobe and his finger, it would also help the team teach itself how to survive on its own when Kobe is not on the court.  Like Poppovich, Phil needs to look at the long term benefit of resting Kobe.  Sure we will probably lose some games, but I would much rather have Kobe 100% healthy and ready for the playoffs than have him continue to shoot this poorly when the team starts to enter the playoffs.  And as previously mentioned, making the team learn to survive without Kobe on the floor could do wonders for the team in the playoffs.  

Phil and Kobe need to ignore the regular season record or the possibility of losing out on homecourt throughout the playoffs.  When this team is 100% healthy, no one can beat them, dare I say not even the Cavs.  This team is that talented.

So for goodness sake Kobe, take a damn rest...your finger and your team needs it.

For more information go to: www.makekoberest.com    (just kidding that's not a real link :p)