<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EL SEGUNDO - Back at their practice facility after 48 forgettable hours on the road, the Lakers focused their attention on the happenings in the film room and the trainer's room, neither one of which was a fun place to be. They went frame-by-frame through a second quarter gone awry in Houston and checked on the condition of Kobe Bryant's strained left groin. The Lakers listed Bryant as probable for tonight's game against Orlando. Bryant, who suffered the injury in the second quarter Wednesday, will be limited if he does play. He underwent treatment and said his groin was no worse from the night before, though Lakers coach Phil Jackson was cautious. "I don't think we can call it right now," Jackson said. "I expect he's going to play, but I don't know what we can expect out of him. "(Wednesday) night, I just didn't think he could run. He just couldn't run full-out. He couldn't do the things that he normally does. He couldn't get elevation on his shot. He was shooting an arm shot." Bryant made just 6 of 18shots against the Rockets and was hindered by the injury in the 17:40 he played in the second half. "It hurts to accelerate, to get to the basket, trying to shift gears and change direction, things like that," Bryant said. "You kind of have to pick your spots a little bit and feel it out." The Lakers need a victory tonight to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season. </div> Source Injuries have caught up with our team and this another setback.
That sucks. I kind of have mixed feelings on this one. One part of me wants him to sit out because I don't want him to worsen the injury, another part of me wants him to play because I know that if he doesn't we have no chance against the Magic. It really sucks we had to lose a very winnable game in Memphis. Had we won, it would have given us a little leverage to lets say, rest Kobe. But as of now, if we lose this one, we lose 3 straight
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd rather have him rest so he can be healthy for that Miami game, but that's just me.</div> I'm actually more concerned about this game. You know Kobe Bryant will be extra focused for the Miami game, after the debacle he had on XMas. Plus there's the possibility Shaq is back for this game, so the emotions and expectations will be even higher for Kobe to perform. The Magic are thin at shooting guard, especially with Ariza just injured. Kobe won't have exert as much energy on defense against Orlando, like he will having to guard Wade.
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'd rather have him rest so he can be healthy for that Miami game, but that's just me.</div> Same here, also the Lakers are undefeated when Kobe sits this season, so maybe they could stay that way.
<div class="quote_poster">Kobe24bryant Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Same here, also the Lakers are undefeated when Kobe sits this season, so maybe they could stay that way.</div> That was with a healthy Kwame and Odom on the floor though.
Just heard some news: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Update: O'Neal (knee) isn't expected to return until some time after Miami's current road trip, the Miami Herald reports. Recommendation: The current trip ends with a game against the Lakers on Monday, so Shaq won't be on the floor against his old team. </div> Source
