<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Trainer Gary Vitti will remove at least some of the 10 stitches today. The cut, which runs vertically down the inside of the finger, is closed and clean. The Lakers have two games remaining on this road trip, and it's conceivable Bryant will play Tuesday night in Miami. He might have to play with the finger taped up to protect the wound, however, and there is some uncertainty about his ability to catch and dribble, because the area remains tender. The hope is the pain will subside once the sutures are removed. "It's got a ways to go," coach Phil Jackson said. "He said it's healing really fast, because a couple days prior to that, it was open, it was still a pretty open gash."</div> More here.
I think this had injury has given Kobe the time to come back and heal his shoulder. I wouldn't want him to rush back too soon. We need him to be healthy for the playoffs (as well as everyone else)
I heard on the 3:00 Sportscenter that he did get the stiches taken off, like the article said, but they mentioned that he WILL NOT PLAY. Then on your article and NBA.com, it says there's a "chance" he'll play. Well of course us Laker fans want him to play, it's going to be tough to travel on the road to Miami and beat a hot Heat team with the way they played yesterday. Also, Accord, I know you want him to play as well, it would be a shame if he didn't, since the Western Conference only plays on the road 1 time a year against each East team.
ESPN is reporting he will likely return Wednesday vs. the Rockets, but he is very doubtful for tomorrow's game against the Miami Heat because he got his stitches taken out. I can provide a link if you want, but I saw it on espnnews...
Kobe's a gamer, so it will probably be a game time decision depending on how he feels and how comfortable it is for him to shoot the ball. Maybe he'll play a little in the second half just get back on the court. I think the Lakers should be able to defeat the Heat without him. I just want Kobe back for the Houston game, we need revenge for the X-Mas day loss at Staples. It would be nice to catch the Mavs for the 4th seed before All Star break.
I hope Kobe takes his time this time...He probably came back prematurely when he came back from the shoulder injury....Like Courtvision said, this injury was probably a blessing in disguise, allowing kobe's shoulder to suffieciently heal...
I'm hearing the same thing, no go for tonight's game. But with Kobe, you never know for sure. Personally, I would let him sit tonight. Shaq should have a field day against the Heat's weak interior defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting OgShowtime:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm hearing the same thing, no go for tonight's game. But with Kobe, you never know for sure. Personally, I would let him sit tonight. Shaq should have a field day against the Heat's weak interior defense.</div> I read an article in NBA Daily this morning saying that Kobe is expected to play tonight. He may come off the bench and not get a lot of minutes, but he is expected to be on the court.
