Kobe will play in the ASG -

He'll just use his LEFT HAND for almost everything, it will be a challenge for him to go left, shoot with the left, free throws, etc.

And he'll still be great, and wow everyone, and that's that. Right now Kobe is working on the left hand for the rest of the season to keep the wear and tear down a little on the right hand.

He already has performed well using the left hand in the past, and for him it's the perfect opportunity to prove once again just how amazing he is (something he is intent on proving over and over again as the heir to MJs throne).

This just in:
LeBron's feelings are hurt so he'll be missing acouple of games. (just kidding)

I've done alittle research and I think the issue is whenever the thing gets hit it'll get painful and swollen. "Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones" and I guess other than the pain and Swolling he could get it re-dislocated which makes the issue what it is: Between a rock and a hard place and crap hitting the fan at the same time.

There's a difference between being able to play through pain, and playing at your maximum best. The issue is not whether Kobe can play through pain bec. we all know that he can, the question is, will Lakers still be able to win the Championship if Kobester is at less than 100%?
The argument can be made that the Lakers will be so overpowering when Bynum/Ariza come back that a Kobe playing at 75%, focusing on assists and defense instead of scoring, can still win the trophy or at least the WC (but may not be strong enough for Celts/Pistons in finals?)
But if the Lakers are indeed so strong, then a further argument can be made that Kobe should have the surgery now bec. the Lakes will still qualify for the playoffs. Kobe comes back 100% and the Lakers can win the WC even from an 8th seed, and then the League Finals. (Ironically, the answer may be tied to the question, How good do you really think Sasha Vujacic is?)
The question shouldn't be about Kobe, it should be about the Team and the League championship.

HERE, HERE!

>>>"Kobe loves BScott."
Posted by: Faith | February 15, 2008 at 10:53 AM

As any Laker fan should too.

Have you guys ever wondered who can replace Phil Jackson once he decides X more (number of) rings than Red Auerbach is enough?

Yep, good, 'ol #4 BScott.
Check this picture: http://www.jamd.com/image/g/360304

It sounds like Kobe would just as well have them cut the pinky off completely and have them cauterize the wound so he can go back out and play. Tough choice though either way.

I am more impressed with Pau than I had even hoped for. This is a Bright Sun-shiny day in Lakerland.

Huge props for Devean George and here's to hoping Keith Van Horn stays in retirement and also does not want to play in the swamp.

T-Woody

AK

Nice William Hurt reference. You don't get to see those everyday. Good pull!

T-Woody

Taliq,

I get what you're saying and I hadn't looked at it that way. And you might be right. My initial thought, knowing Kobe to the degree I do, is that he never wants to miss anything or look like he's backing away, which is why I peged him as wanting to play. And he hasn't said anything otherwise. And that he'd use not having permission as a way of doing what he'd prefer to do anyway. But yes, it could simply be a matter of him not having permission and because of that, he hasn't really stated his preference publicly. That certainly does make sense.

As for the recommendation to get his take, I don't think I'd be able to track down Kobe for a direct quote on the matter (he's possibly on a plane as we seak). But to be perfectly honest, I seriously doubt Kobe would say, on the record, that he'd prefer to miss it, all things being equal. That's just not how he rolls. It doesn't mean you're not correct in your analysis. I'm just saying, for a variety of reasons, I'm guessing I couldn't get confirmation one way or the other.

Any any rate, that's just my gut thought from having been around him for quite a while. It's certainly not a harsh criticism of Kobe, which is why I think it's odd that you'd normally chalk this up as "hating." This hardly felt personal enough to even go there. But I guess you gave me the benefit of the doubt, so I do appreciate that.

AK

The bottom line here is championship and the Lakers cannot win or go to the finals if Kobe's finger is not 100%. Any hand injury will effect his handling and shooting obviously so its much harder to play through then like a bad ankle or back. So if the Lakers can just make the playoffs with Kobe being out for 6 weeks, then I say do it. There gonna have to play the Spurs or Pheonix sooner or later anyways!! Understandably its alot easier to reach the finals by avoiding 1 of these teams instead of playing both but if the Lakers want to be true champs then they gotta play the best. I don't want to hear excuses coming from the Spurs or Shaq "well they didn't play us in the playoffs."

Taliq

Keep in mind that the coaches really don't like their star players, or any players for that matter, siuting up for the aAll-Star game. Similar to pulling the top guys in a blowout. Keep the guys healthy. Phill has made that comment over the years numerous times. At the same time they know the obligation that the league puts on players, especially super stars.

Also, Kobe is still in "Image Repair" mode. He is still the most critisized player in the league, he has slowly rebuilt his image from Colorado and now he has to deal with the YouTube fiasco. All in all, he has to show up with a big a** smile and awaive for everyone. And it never hurts to have Missuz Kobe hanging off his arm.

T-Woody

Please let Kobe be alright.

iirc James missed 6 games with minor injuries and the Cavs lost all those games.

Faith,
Isn't there also a broken bone? (At least that was reported at one point.) Also, when tendons tear completely, don't the ends tend to pull farther apart over time, thus making the eventual surgery and subsequent recovery somewhat more difficult?

Since someone asked, here's the John Hollinger article:

posted: Friday, February 15, 2008 | Feedback | Print Entry

I have some unsolicited advice for Kobe Bryant: Get the surgery.

If you want to win a championship, it's your only option.

Don't be a hero and try to play with your injured right pinkie. While I admire your willingness to play hurt, I saw you try to play with the bad digit in Atlanta last week and you were as ineffective as I've ever seen you: 4-of-16 from the field, 3-of-5 from the line, for just 11 points. If you do that for the next six-to-eight weeks, you might help the Lakers win a few more games than they would have otherwise. But there's no way you're leading a team to the promised land in that condition.

I know you've played better in the four games since the Atlanta game, but given how much you handle the ball and how often you go to the basket, it's inevitable that you'll be hit on that pinkie finger. Again and again and again. And every time, you'll be back to square one.

If winning a championship is the goal, then there's only way to do it, Mr. Mamba. Sit out these next six weeks and hope your supporting cast is good enough to get into the postseason. If they aren't, you weren't going to win a championship anyway. If they are, then it doesn't matter where you're seeded -- with you and Andrew Bynum back in the lineup, you'll be the team to beat in the Western Conference playoffs.

Keep in mind that your team doesn't need to do all that well without you in order to make the postseason. The Hollinger Playoff Odds project 48 wins will be required in the West; if the Lakers go 13-17 in their final 30 games they'll finish 48-34. Anything better than that and a playoff berth looks certain.

With a lineup of Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Ronny Turiaf and a deep bench behind it, it sure seems they could play .500 ball over those 30 games; consider that Gasol won 50, 45 and 49 games with roughly equivalent talent around him in Memphis. Consider, too, that they have 17 of those 30 games at home, and 14 against teams with losing records.

The alternative is playing with a bad finger. You might help them win a few more regular-season games and get a higher seeding, but you'll likely be in no position to lift the team past the likes of the Spurs and Jazz in the postseason.

So which would you rather do? Play with a bad finger and lose in the second round? Or get the surgery and risk missing the playoffs for a chance to win the title?

It's an easy call, right?

Happydaze/Charles maybe what we could do is start a group on myspace for the laker viweing party and post a link to that group here, that way peeps can let me/Charles know who is going. Also if anyone wants to play pool during/after the game you might have to let me know because they require reservations.

My initial respond to the pinky injury of Kobe was somewhat nonchalant, but now it's becoming more of a concern, given the recent news of a torn ligament and need for surgery.

Just seems like the Lakers are snakebit with injuries that could derail their chances of winning a championship. The dilemma is whether to bite the bullet and proceed with the surgery or play through it and have surgery in the off-season. It's a tough call to make.

As far as possibly getting another player, I'd like the front office to boost the bench with the addition of a Pietrius or an Artest-type of slashers/lock-down defenders. Both multi-skill players can either start or come off the bench, and would provide tough defensive plays come playoff time.

Memo to Mitch: Rise and shine. Make those calls to Mullin and Petrie.

AK/BK,

Is the Lakers draft pick that went to Memphis this season
lottery protected? I'm not certain, but I seem to recall hearing
that it was.

If so, then Kobe should have his surgery, and Lamar and
Fish and Ariza should also come up with phantom injuries
that they need to rest the rest of the season. I figure if they
try hard enough, they could lose all 30 of their remaining
games and have a decent chance in the lottery. Now that
would REALLY piss Pop off. :-)

I'm just being ironic, by they way, in case it isn't clear.

I just hope the team makes the right decision about Kobe.

If he's going to be out only six weeks guaranteed with surgery, I'd have him do it.

If there's a chance the recovery could be longer, I'd let him play through it.

It is just his pinky, he's been shooting pretty well after having it dislocated.

We're coming up on crunch time in the season. After the all star break, the cream of the crop rises. The playoff race is as close as I've ever seen it at this point. It'd really hurt us if we have to go through this period without Kobe and Big Bynum.

I think he's making the right decision holding off on the surgery.

Go Lakers!

Without Kobe, our starting lineup is:

Fish
Sasha
Luke
Lamar
Pau

Except for Pau, NOT ONE of these starters can create their own shot consistently. NOT ONE of thse guys are good defensive players. NOT ONE of these guys are a threat to penetrate, and we all know how Lamar does as the second option.

Compared to a Kobeless (and Bynum/Arizaless) Laker team, one can argue that Gasol had better teamates in the starting lineup in Memphis, with Mike Miller and Rudy Gay. Gay and Miller are talented, and legit second options on offense, yet the Grizzlies were bottom feeders in the West the entire season.

Utah, Houston and Golden State are red hot. Even Denver is playing well as of late, and Phoenix, NO, Dallas and SA are virtual locks. Without Kobe, this team will STRUGGLE BIG TIME to hold onto a playoff spot in the West.

As long as Kobe's finger injury is not career threatening, Kobe really has no other option but to play. Even if we don't win a championship this year, our young guns will gain invaluable experience going deep into the playoffs. Experience and injuries are the only potential road blocks to the next Laker Dynasty. Without Kobe this year, gaining that invauable experience will most likely be delayed for another year.

Rollo Tomassi,

Yeah, I like William Hurt. He's a weird dude, but usually pretty good. I do think it's weird, however, that an actor of his caliber always looks like he's completely stoned out of his mind in ever role. haha

At any rate, my favorite of his roles is probably "Body Heat." He's great in it and it's a really entertaining movie.

AK

AK,

"Body Heat" - forgot about that one. He was good in that. I do agree with you on the "stoned out" characters he played, although I believe those had been mostly in independent flicks. Over the years he did some weird ones. He's got a flair for the weird one. I think the all-time weird movie he did was "Kiss of the Spider Woman."

If it turns out I'm misrepresenting Kobe's intentions, I'll certainly own up and apologize. But that's how I'm reading things at the moment. At the very least, he doesn't seem to want to make it publically known that he'd prefer to miss it.

AK

Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 15, 2008 at 10:08 AM

There was an article in paper in Times or Daily News that Kobe said he did not want to play in the ASG to his teamates. As some one else pointed out he was going to publically make his plea in NO not to play.
---------------------------------
Let me spell this out for you:
Kobe played up through Wed.
He's scheduled to play Tuesday.

Does that sound like a KG or Butler type of injury?

No.

Therefore, the NBA says, "you will play. You're not missing games, you WILL play, that's the policy that's the way it is. And by the way Kobe, if we want you to miss games, we'll supspend you and take your money. That's how this league works boy. Now get back in your place."

The only problem with that is that Kobe did not sit out the last game because it was re-injured in that last game. If a player needs rest so he can play the next game then the league should not penalized a player for protecting his health and the loyalty to his organization and its fans.

My humble opinion is that I think it best that Kobe gets the surgery now and get that extra week of heal time with no games played. I also don't think we are lottery team without Kobe. He was injured and played sparingly or not at all in early games this season and we won those games. I especially remember kicking Funs A$$es. I saw his look on the bench and was shocked to see what his teamates were killing the Funs.

JustaLaker fan,

If you check out the most recent post, I admitted I was incorrect.

AK

Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 15, 2008 at 03:06 PM

AK

I know you did but the point of my post was to state that even Kobe said he did not want to play to his teamates which was not stated before.

I did not mean to make it seem like I was piling on. I apologise if it came out that way as it was not my intention.

Thanks for pointing out my slip up.