<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant will need offseason surgery on his right shoulder, according to a report by ESPN's Jim Gray. But in a statement Thursday, the Lakers said Bryant will seek a second opinion before making a final decision on whether to proceed with surgery. Bryant underwent an MRI exam Wednesday on his shoulder at Kerlan Jobe Medical Center. Results showed a labrum tear in his right shoulder. The 6-8 guard was scheduled to play with the U.S. team at this summer's Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, Aug. 20-31. Not only is Bryant expected to miss that tournament, he may also be in jeopardy of missing the start of the 2003-04 NBA season, according to Gray. Bryant originally injured his shoulder April 22 in Game 2 of the Lakers' first round playoff series against Minnesota. But he continued to play until the Lakers were eliminated by San Antonio in the second round. Despite the injury, Bryant averaged 32.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 12 playoff games. After the decisive Game 6 of that series, which ended the Lakers' three-year reign as NBA champions, Bryant said: "I'm ready to get right in the gym tonight and start getting ready for next year. I don't like this feeling. I really don't. And I don't want to have this feeling ever again." His return to the gym now could be a much longer wait.</div>
Kobe is going to get surgery, but he will be good enough to play at the start of the season. The only bad thing is that he won't play for the national team THIS summer, but there will be a way to find a spot for him for the Olympics.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "sportsrock37":</div><div class="quote_post">hope kobe's alright. i love your sig pic dee :thumbsup:</div> I made if for her
this is bad for the lakers but only if shaq isnt healthy. as long as they have shaq theyll be fine. the team started 2-10 without shaq. i wondnt be surprsised if they started 10-2 with shaq and wihtout kobe
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "allnet":</div><div class="quote_post">Depends who they add in the off season..if they sign GP then likely could...</div> even without payton. shaq is very dominant if healthy. he can easily carry the team without kobe
hell, shaq can still be dominant when not healthy. i never really understood what went through the lakers minds when they didn't pass Shaq the ball on EVERY posession during the playoffs. as long as they do that, they'll be fine. they don't need kobe for that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "slamduncan21":</div><div class="quote_post">hell, shaq can still be dominant when not healthy. i never really understood what went through the lakers minds when they didn't pass Shaq the ball on EVERY posession during the playoffs. as long as they do that, they'll be fine. they don't need kobe for that.</div> i was wondering the same thing if kobe isn't healthy, but shaq is at the beginning of the season, the lakers will be fine. If both aren't healthy, then they are screwed.
kobe doesn't look 6'8 to me...I think he should get a brain transplant while he's at the docs...and also ask them to close up his tear ducts
