<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>EL SEGUNDO, California (Ticker) -- The news that the Los Angeles Lakers got regarding Kobe Bryant's injured pinky was not good. On Thursday, the club announced that Bryant has been diagnosed with a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament and a volar plate injury at the MCP joint of the small finger of this right hand. Surgery was recommended, which would sideline Bryant six weeks. "My current thinking is to give my finger some treatment and rest for a few days, and hope I can still continue to compete at a high level after that rest," Bryant said. "I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until after our Lakers season, and this summer's Olympic Games. But, this is an injury that myself and the Lakers' medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis."</div> http://sportstwo.com/NBA/Story/NBA/1687406
There goes ASW. I'll be really surprised if he does get the surgery, though. Kobe's the toughest SOB in the league, I doubt he gets it. I doubt he even sits out. I bet he rests, and that's all.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kobe Bryant has sustained a torn ligament in his right pinkie and has decided not to undergo surgery that would sideline him for six weeks, the Lakers said today. Bryant initially hurt his finger Feb. 5 when the Lakers played New Jersey. The injury was originally listed as a dislocated pinkie, although the team revealed today there was also a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament and an avulsion fracture, in which a small fragment of bone had been pulled off by a tendon. Bryant, who saw hand specialist Steven Shin in Los Angeles today, will try to play through the injury instead of having surgery. If he opted for surgery, he would face a six-week recovery process. "My current thinking is to give my finger some treatment and rest for a few days, and hope I can still continue to compete at a high level after that rest," Bryant said in a statement. "I would prefer to delay any surgical procedure until after our Lakers season, and this summer's Olympic Games. But, this is an injury that myself and the Lakers' medical staff will just have to continue to monitor on a day-to-day basis." It is unclear if Bryant will play in Sunday's All-Star game. But Bryant will not participate in the three-point shooting contest -- the NBA said Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks will replace Bryant in the three-point competition. Bryant was initially injured when his pinkie was bent back against the arm of Jason Kidd while Bryant was trying to steal a pass against New Jersey. His pinkie was aggravated in Wednesday's game when Minnesota's guard Rashad McCants hit it while Bryant went for a rebound. Bryant started off slowly after injuring his finger in New Jersey, making only seven of 29 shots (24.1%) against the Nets and Atlanta. He has since shot better, making 37 of 76 attempts (48.7%) in the Lakers' last four games, all victories.</div> http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers...1,5194565.story
I think he can do it, as he is the toughest SOB in the league. However, if he feels any reason to have the surgery now, I'd rather him do it now and bite the bullet rather than putting it off and getting it later in the season. I think Gasol and Lamar can hold the fort down until Bynum gets back.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Feb 14 2008, 08:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think he can do it, as he is the toughest SOB in the league. However, if he feels any reason to have the surgery now, I'd rather him do it now and bite the bullet rather than putting it off and getting it later in the season. I think Gasol and Lamar can hold the fort down until Bynum gets back.</div> Its a tough decision. On the one hand the Lakers are in an intense playoff push here. The teams in the west are so tightly packed that if you slip for more than 1 game you'll get buried (see: Trailblazers, Portland). Especially with Bynum out they need Kobe in there to win these games. On the other hand is it worth it to continue to play Kobe when it could hurt him worse down the line? I mean, even without Kobe the Lakers aren't half bad with Gasol, Odom, and a plethora of good role players. It would be better to have him at full strength for the playoffs but you run the risk of not even making the playoffs. Ultimately it will come down to a) how much its hurting Kobe right now and what the doctors say when he gets second opinions on how it could effect him long term as well as how long he'll be out. It's only his pinky, which is good and shouldn't have too much effect, but you never really know how these things can develop. Also I'm sure Bynum's status will play a role in this. If Bynum is still supposed to be out for the rest of the reg season then Kobe will probably keep playing. If Bynum comes back in, say, a month then the Lakers would probably be wise to just play without either for a few weeks then Bynum can come back and hold it down until Kobe gets back.
I'm not confident with Lamar and Pau leading this team...I mean, Pau proved he wasn't a true leader in Memphis. And we've all seen how Odom is as a second option. What if Bryant held tough until Bynum gets back, or two weeks before he got back? I just don't want to slip in the west. It's so tight right now, any losing streak could kill us.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Feb 14 2008, 08:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm not confident with Lamar and Pau leading this team...I mean, Pau proved he wasn't a true leader in Memphis. And we've all seen how Odom is as a second option. What if Bryant held tough until Bynum gets back, or two weeks before he got back? I just don't want to slip in the west. It's so tight right now, any losing streak could kill us.</div> torn ligaments should be surgically repaired relatively early as to avoid any permanent damage.
Talk about the worst possible thing that could happen. I'm thinking he'll tough it out unless it becomes too much to deal with. Quite frankly, if Kobe does opt for surgery, that could severely damage our playoffs shot with how tight the West is.
did'nt vlade play with more or less the same injury to his index finger (torn tendon or was it ligament) last season? if radman can hack it, i'm sure kobe can. i'm pretty sure t-mac would be crying if it happened to him.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (sweetness @ Feb 14 2008, 09:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>did'nt vlade play with more or less the same injury to his index finger (torn tendon or was it ligament) last season? if radman can hack it, i'm sure kobe can. i'm pretty sure t-mac would be crying if it happened to him.</div> Yeah and he had his worst offensive season that year. I would have much rather preferred if Kobe had gotten this done in the Atlanta game. As much as this sucks, Kobe probably needs surgery now. All we have to worry about is making the playoffs with a Healthy roster, not pad our record and get bounced early.
If I were him, I'd get the surgery. He needs to do it soon so we can mesh before the playoffs. I'm confident Pau, Lamar and Bynum (when he returns) can hold down the fort. Plus, it'll only be good for the supporting guys' confidence.
I'm not saying this is true, but I felt I might as well just put this out there. There's a rumor going around that these reports are being published just so Kobe won't have to participate in Allstar weekend. His pinky is "supposedly" still injured, just not to such a great extent. Having his report will allow him to skip Allstar weekend to rest up his body of the next couple of days. Also, last night after the game, James Worthy was joking around during LTV saying that Kobe was just using this injury as a ploy to get him out of the Allstar game. Again, I'm not saying this is true, but that's just something I've been hearing. Now, if this injury report is indeed true (it probably is), I have no doubt in my mind Kobe will continue to play through it. And I have no worries about his production either. He re-injured his finger in the first half of last night's game, I believe, but came back in the second half and looked pretty good. I'm not really THAT worried about this injury. Kobe will be fine. He should take the next couple of days to just rest up or do some therapy on his pinky. He'll be fine. This isn't Lebron James we're talking about, this is Kobe. If we had a game today, I'm sure he would have suited up.
I think that is a rumor with no foundation. Kobe was quoted in the Press-Enterprise saying that he wouldn't miss the All-Star game, that he loves it. Kobe isn't the type of player who will fake an injury to sit out of something. Did you notice he said he'd get the surgery after the playoffs and USA Basketball? Any kind of basketball is important to Kobe. After pondering it awhile, I really think that Kobe'll be fine if he plays with the injury. Gary Vitti isn't an idiot, either is Kobe. Vitti will come up with something to protect the hand and Kobe will get constant treatment on it and will protect it more during the games. Kobe's an animal...and when lethal animals are wounded, they're most deadly then. The Mamba is most deadly when hurt, I expect Kobe to be absolutely deadly.
Also keep in mind that this is his pinky finger. This isn't his shoulder, his ankle, or even his back. Obviously you want to be as healthy as possible, but your pinky finger isn't going to make or break your game. Also keep in mind that Kobe had the best season of his entire career, playing injured. Kobe scored 81 points, playing injured. Sure, I wish he was 100%, but he'll be fine. Like I said before, he needs to take the next couple of days to rest up and do some therapy on his pinky.
Kobe!!! Pls start the all star game... but get subbed after the 1st possession!!! Rest!!! We want the ring THIS YEAR LOL As for the olympics... ill see you in a few month!!! LOL
Another thing to consider is that you know certain guys will be attacking his pinky. Matt Barnes, Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, any old scrub who wants to fugg with Kobe will hack at that hand like crazy and say they were just trying to steal the ball or make sure he didn't get the shot in. Thats definitely not going to help it heal.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Run BJM @ Feb 14 2008, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Another thing to consider is that you know certain guys will be attacking his pinky. Matt Barnes, Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, any old scrub who wants to fugg with Kobe will hack at that hand like crazy and say they were just trying to steal the ball or make sure he didn't get the shot in. Thats definitely not going to help it heal.</div> That's where DJ Mbenga comes in. He's a black belt or some shit like that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Run BJM @ Feb 14 2008, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Another thing to consider is that you know certain guys will be attacking his pinky. Matt Barnes, Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, any old scrub who wants to fugg with Kobe will hack at that hand like crazy and say they were just trying to steal the ball or make sure he didn't get the shot in. Thats definitely not going to help it heal.</div> Of course he's going to be better off taking the surgery, but the amount of time it will take for him to heal up could possibly break the team. Bynum is coming back, but it still won't be for another couple of weeks. As much as I love Gasol, he cannot carry this team on his back. And Lamar will revert back to his piss poor play if he's going to be used as the 2nd option. Kobe could take the surgery now, but in 6 weeks, we could very well fall out of the playoff picture. He should tape his fingers before games, which should help ease up the pain. Like I said before, the pinky finger won't make or break your game. Obviously you want to be 100%, but this is the best case scenerio if Kobe's going to have to suffer such an injury. Gerald Green won the dunk contest with 9 fingers btw, if anyone's intersted. Also, Kobe can try playing with this injury a week from now, and if he decides it's not the best route to go, he can always opt for surgery
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 14 2008, 10:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Run BJM @ Feb 14 2008, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Another thing to consider is that you know certain guys will be attacking his pinky. Matt Barnes, Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, any old scrub who wants to fugg with Kobe will hack at that hand like crazy and say they were just trying to steal the ball or make sure he didn't get the shot in. Thats definitely not going to help it heal.</div> Of course he's going to be better off taking the surgery, but the amount of time it will take for him to heal up could possibly break the team. Bynum is coming back, but it still won't be for another couple of weeks. As much as I love Gasol, he cannot carry this team on his back. And Lamar will revert back to his piss poor play if he's going to be used as the 2nd option. Kobe could take the surgery now, but in 6 weeks, we could very well fall out of the playoff picture. He should tape his fingers before games, which should help ease up the pain. Like I said before, the pinky finger won't make or break your game. Obviously you want to be 100%, but this is the best case scenerio if Kobe's going to have to suffer such an injury. Gerald Green won the dunk contest with 9 fingers btw, if anyone's intersted. Also, Kobe can try playing with this injury a week from now, and if he decides it's not the best route to go, he can always opt for surgery </div> We've already seen the havoc a pinky can cause, just refer back to the Atlanta game. Kobe should leave this decision up to the doctors, he could cause himself some real damage. He needs a lot of professional opinions, nothing else.
