The storyline of the Los Angeles Lakers 2012-2013 season
entering last night was the injury bug that hit the team. Every Laker starter
has missed at least five games except for Kobe Bryant. With the Lakers hanging
out by a thread to the 8th seed in the Western Conference, the
Lakers worst fear became a reality when Bryant suffered a torn Achilles in the
Lakers 118-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday.
It was a
routine play for Bryant as it appeared he slipped while driving to the basket.
At age 34, it looks as if Bryant’s body finally gave out on him. In the month
of April, Bryant has averaged 45.2 minutes per game as he has been single
handling keeping the Lakers in the 8th spot. Although he was in an
extraordinary amount of pain, Bryant still had to shoot two free throws as he
was fouled on the play. Bryant would make both free throws and in typical Kobe
fashion, could have been the deciding factor as the Lakers won by 2.
So what is
next for the 34 year old? Will he retire or will he return for his 18th
year, also his final year of his contract? While fighting back tears in his
news conference last night, Bryant told reporters that this wouldn’t be the
last of the future Hall of Famer.
Bryant’s
injury adds to what already has been one of the worst seasons in recent memory
for one of the greatest franchises in sports. Five games into this season, the
Lakers fired Mike Brown after a 1-4 start and replaced him with Mike D’Antoni.
On February 18th, longtime owner Jerry Buss died after a battle with cancer. A
season that started off with expectations of tying the Boston Celtics for the
most championships in NBA history, has now come down to two games where the
Lakers hope to make the playoffs as the 8th seed.
Losing
Bryant last night put the nail on the coffin this season for the Lakers even if
they make the playoffs. Bryant is perhaps one of the top five greatest players
in NBA history. Lakers longtime trainer Gary Vitti said that the expected recovery
for a torn Achilles is 6-9 months. That could mean that Bryant will miss the
season opener next year but does anybody think the “ Black Mamba” will miss the
2013-14 season opener?
Kobe Bryant
has a long road of recovery ahead of him and I guarantee he will be back to
Kobe Bryant form next year.
image was used from sbnation.com
No comments:
Post a Comment