77 replies to this topic

[SaintNicholasVanExel]

After seeking numerous opinions from hand specialists, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has decided to forgo surgery on his right pinkie. Fresh off his Olympic Gold Medal performance in Beijing, Bryant expressed that he did not want to miss any time on the court when Lakers training camp opens later this month.

"I have always felt that I can still focus and play at a high level even through various injuries. Thatss really just part of the game. When the doctors told me recovery from a procedure could be 12 weeks, I just decided now was not the time to have surgery. What it really came down to for me is that I just didn't want to miss any time 'punching the clock' for the Lakers, given all we are trying to accomplish as a team this NBA season. I am just really excited and looking forward to being there with the guys when camp opens in a few weeks. That is a real bonding process and if I can avoid being on the sidelines for that, God willing, I will," said Bryant.

SOURCE

[MDI]

oh noes

missing the first couple of weeks won't be that bad man, come on get it done kob

Edited by MDI, September 09, 2008 - 11:08 AM.

[A_V_R]

Well he has played well with it injured the past i dont know...six months. I can understand his perspective. Im just hoping theres no negative effects lurking in the unforeseeable future.

[MDI]

his shooting form wasn't quite the same after the injury

will he adjust to it before the season starts? we'll have to see

[SaintNicholasVanExel]

i totally called this.
i'm convinced it's not going to make a difference... plus it's a good sign that he's not too big time to be 100% with his boys in camp.

[pound4pound]

its a long season kobs...fix your finger..

[netlord]

We all feared this could happen...

[Jaime Quintanilla]

Not good, not good at all.

[UKUGA]

I'm just gonna assume that he knows what he's doing.

[BadScooter]

On one hand, I think his shot has been off since the injury and I'm worried about his FG% (especially mid-long range shots) dipping a bit and making some of those "eff it" shots a little less pleasing.

On the other, Kobe missing 3 months would likely put us into a hole that I'd rather not climb out of (see GSW last year losing early without Captain Jack).

Kobe's not stupid. If he thinks he can wait until the end of June to have the surgery, that's fine.

[tru'tildeath]

it can be fixed. Why not get it done?

[A_V_R]

On one hand, I think his shot has been off since the injury and I'm worried about his FG% (especially mid-long range shots) dipping a bit and making some of those "eff it" shots a little less pleasing.

On the other, Kobe missing 3 months would likely put us into a hole that I'd rather not climb out of (see GSW last year losing early without Captain Jack).

Kobe's not stupid. If he thinks he can wait until the end of June to have the surgery, that's fine.

Exactly, kobe knows his body better than any of us. In Kobe I trust.

[Savory Griddles]

Are Gasol, Bynum, Odom, Sasha and Fisher not enough to hold down the fort until he gets back? He gets it now and it goes the full 12 weeks, he still only misses like 1 month. First month of the season is:

@ Denver
LA Clippers
Houston
@ Dallas
@ New Orleans
Detroit
Chicago
@ Phoenix
vs Denver
Sacramento
New Jersey
Dallas
Toronto

Without Kobe, I think they can go 6-7 pretty easily.

[Shane Bien]

Best Decision Kobe could have made.

Kobe knows that no season is guaranteed, and he is taking nothing for granted.

12 weeks puts Kobe missing close to 1/4 of the season.

Lakers haven’t had the most durable roster the last few years, so to say others can hold it down while he is gone is naive.

If last season proved ANYTHING, its that you need HCA throughout the playoffs and Finals to give yourself the BEST shot at winning a ring.

Without 24 the first 15-20 games, good luck in April, May and June

[SaintNicholasVanExel]

Best Decision Kobe could have made.

Kobe knows that no season is guaranteed, and he is taking nothing for granted.

12 weeks puts Kobe missing close to 1/4 of the season.

Lakers haven’t had the most durable roster the last few years, so to say others can hold it down while he is gone is naive.

If last season proved ANYTHING, its that you need HCA throughout the playoffs and Finals to give yourself the BEST shot at winning a ring.

Without 24 the first 15-20 games, good luck in April, May and June

post of the day, right there.

[popo]

He's going to have two 7 footers in his starting line up, which wont require him to take so many outside shots. So i don't think it will have that much of an effect.

[Nirvana]

Best Decision Kobe could have made.

Kobe knows that no season is guaranteed, and he is taking nothing for granted.

12 weeks puts Kobe missing close to 1/4 of the season.

Lakers haven’t had the most durable roster the last few years, so to say others can hold it down while he is gone is naive.

If last season proved ANYTHING, its that you need HCA throughout the playoffs and Finals to give yourself the BEST shot at winning a ring.

Without 24 the first 15-20 games, good luck in April, May and June

You make a good point, but I worry that this will catch up with him. What happens if going into the playoffs, his pinky starts hurting? What happens if we end up missing Kobe for key games because surgery on the pinky is required. 82 games PLUS a long playoff run will kill his pinky, I really think that Kobe needs to get the surgery and be 110% for the rest of the season. Odom, Gasol and Bynum can hold it down for now.

[ファイナルファンタジ]

Let him play. Seriously, he should get that surgery but I wouldn't mind seeing Kobe for another 82 games.

[Rybee]

I suppose he'll get it next summer then since there is no olympics or anything