"Kobe in the All-Star Game" update
BK's in the car right now and heard a report on the Steven A. Smith Show from Kobe that the Lakers, on his behalf, are petitioning the league to let him miss the game. Apparently, without permission, he could face a one-game suspension (which is pretty ridiculous, given the circumstances, but also quite possibly worth the hit if worst came to worst, since the next game is at home against Atlanta). We'll let you know if additional news trickles in.
Note to Taliq: I'll say it. My instincts that it was more the team than Kobe wanting him out were incorrect. I'm certainly not above admitting I was wrong. There you have it.
(UPDATE: The League has weighed in and it's not a Kobe-centric ruling. I can see Stern's POV on a purely practical level, since it could become very easy for dudes to claim "injury" during their last game and get out of the festivities. But on the flip side, Kobe does have one hell of a doctor's note. This feels like a no-brainer occasion to me. At any rate, West coach Byron Scott says he'll play Kobe as much or little as the star wants. Thus, if he ends up getting a lot of run, my instincts cited above may not have been all that wacky. I'll be looking for an apology, Taliq. haha)
AK
Does this mean that he has to suit and see minutes, or does that mean he can suit up and sit the game?? I can understand a suspension for not showing up without an excuse, but come on the guy is hurt and this is an exhibition. He is even doing us (USA basketball) a huge favor by omitting surgery till after that. Let the man do what is best for himself, the Lakers, and the United States of America.
Posted by: Nik Kannan | February 15, 2008 at 12:51 PM
If they're going to give him a suspension, I don't see why he doesn't just go "play" in the game.
Dress in uniform, go start the game. Do nothing in the game but pass and shoot left-handed.
It won't take long to get subbed out and then he can sit on the bench and enjoy the all-star atmosphere.
Posted by: Sharper | February 15, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Color me surprised.
Posted by: Faith | February 15, 2008 at 01:00 PM
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-stars16feb16,1,5711925.story
League has decided. You are a robot, and we own you.
Thank god for BScott. I wouldn't put it past D'Antoni to play Kobe 48 minutes with this.
Posted by: Faith | February 15, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Kobe wont have surgery cause he knows if he does and is out 6 weeks the lakers will be in the lottery as houston golden state and denver are 7th 8th and 9th seeds in the west at the moment and only 3 games behind the lakers.
If the lakers missed the playoffs if kobe had surgery memphis would be laughing cause instead of a late first round pick they would get middle of the first round pick
Posted by: Justin | February 15, 2008 at 01:03 PM
I wish he was still doint the 3-point Shoot Out. I was looking forward to that. Oh, well. Glad for all the Lakers getting a well deserved rest.
Happydaze
Posted by: Happydaze | February 15, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Who needs the 3 point contest, when you already hold the record for most treys made during a game?
Posted by: never | February 15, 2008 at 01:13 PM
This is just a big conundrum, It comes at a very precarious point in the season, given the 6-week healing time frame.
Scenario 1: He has surgery after the ASG after re-considering his options. He is back by the end of March – That’s 22 games missed, and he’ll be ready for the playoffs.
Scenario 2: He has surgery after the ASG after re-considering his options. He is back by the end of March – That’s 22 games missed, but the team is buried in the brutal west.
Scenario 3: He waits and tries to play, but he can’t play anymore in a couple of weeks, has surgery and is out for the start of the playoffs – nighty night.
Scenario 4: He’s superhuman. He plays at the same level, and the Lakers don’t miss a beat.
If you guys are interested, lets get a vote going. Pick which one of the 4 above options is most likely to happen. The posters closest to the correct assessment will get props. I’ll tally it tonight, if I get responses.
Posted by: HmrHed | February 15, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Faith,
Thanks for the link to the story. Now maybe Laker Lover can get off Kobe is just trying to make himself look good to the media and the fans but to the detriment of his teammates and against the advice of his coaches.
However, after reading Laker Lover for awhile, he'll say Kobe had the story planted because he wants to try and gain more sympathy. But Lebron would never do anything that would be selfish or me-oriented because he's the better player and better person and his decisions are so altruistic and big picture oriented. hahahahahahahahahahaha!
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | February 15, 2008 at 01:18 PM
I believe B Scott. He's definitely a stand-up guy.
Thank goodness he's at the helm.
Posted by: Mob Wagoneer | February 15, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Byron, once again, you are my hero.
Posted by: #4 | February 15, 2008 at 01:27 PM
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 out the season. 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.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | February 15, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Kobe could always just get a cast on his hand to protect it for the ASG.
So if they force him to play, he's protected. But I doubt they want that. It would look bad.
But Kobe needs to go under the knife NOW so he can be back soon. TRUST YOUR TEAM to maintain you in the playoffs. The rest of the season is mostly subpar teams. It's possible.
Posted by: Gemini | February 15, 2008 at 01:28 PM
If you ask me, Kobe plays the whole game with his left hand, and sets a scoring record for most points scored in the ASG with non-dominant hand.
Posted by: #4 | February 15, 2008 at 01:30 PM
HmrHed,
I'm going with Scenario 4. Kobe is superhuman. He is the best player on the planet. He plays through injury like no other, and he plays well.
Lakers come out of the WCF in six games with Kobe leading the way.
Long live the Lakers!
Posted by: The Outlaw | February 15, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Feels like a Stern dictatorship....
Posted by: Charles | February 15, 2008 at 01:35 PM
And just when you thought it was a slow news day. Now this.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330841,00.html
Posted by: AN 1 | February 15, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Color me angry at the league.
Posted by: Charles | February 15, 2008 at 01:38 PM
From the la times story:
Bryant, the leading vote-getter in the West, attended Friday's media session with his right hand in a brace and the last two fingers splinted.
He said he knew about the league's policy and that he thought it was a bad rule but would play if he had to.
Comments:
Kobe and the Lakers knew Kobe would have to play in the All Star Game, which is why he was already on a plane to New Orleans
Fishy, no names of "NBA Officials" and making it look like its the league making poor Kobaby play in the game.
When the "fine" for missing the game is so small ( one game) why would the lakers and Kobe risk playing KNOWING his competitive nature?
The reality is Kobe wants to play, and BScott has already said he will let Kobe decide how much he plays. Well doesnt it make sense that BScott take him out after 1 minute not let Kobe decide?
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 15, 2008 at 01:40 PM
From yahoo.com
NEW ORLEANS – Kobe Bryant said Friday he would prefer not to play in Sunday’s All-Star game because of his injured right pinkie, but understands he will probably need to make an obligatory appearance to satisfy NBA officials.
Bryant has a ligament tear in the finger and has decided to put off surgery, which could have sidelined him for up to six weeks. He has pulled out of Saturday’s three-point contest, but league officials haven’t granted the Lakers’ request to let him skip Sunday’s game.
“I would hope they would, but there’s nothing I can do about it,” Bryant said. “You just have to go with the flow. I’m not complaining about it, I’m not worried about it. If I need to play, I’ll play. If they don’t mind me sitting out and resting and doing treatment on my hand, I’d appreciate that.”
League officials continued to say they have been led to believe Bryant will play Sunday, even though the Lakers prefer he use the entire weekend to rest. But one official also added, “We obviously don’t want to jeopardize his long-term health. If (the injury) flares up Saturday or Sunday, we’ll address the situation then.”
Now how would the NBA be led to believe Kobe would play on Sunday?
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 15, 2008 at 01:48 PM
option 4
Posted by: SA | February 15, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Once again, the NBA drops the ball....obviously Kobe is not faking an injury just to rest up. Kobe loves the ASG, as witnessed by his 2 MVP's there. The league fails to examine the differences in each individual case. In my opinion, the zero tolerance stance with regards to their rules only cheapens their authority, as opposed to enhancing it. As much as I dislike the Funs, they were unfairly penalized in last year's series against the Spurs. The guy that was most responsible for that fiasco (Robert Horry) was less of a factor than the 2 Phx. players that were suspended, Diaw and Amare. The Spurs clearly benefited from that exchange despite being the instigators.
The recent scenario of the botched trade for JKidd also was a bad scene for the NBA. The league should have stepped in immediately and made sure that any players involved in the trade were not allowed to play until the trade was either finalized or disallowed. Dallas had players involved in the trade playing while NJ did not. That opened the possibility of foul play or tampering by gambling elements. For a league recovering from the Tim Donaghy debacle, their actions were shortsighted.
Then we have the loose lips of Jerry Stackhouse, who shed light on a practice that is underhanded and collusional. Stack basically was assured that his trade to Jersey was just for show, and that he would be back with the Mavs wihin thirty days. According to several team executives, this is done all the time, but Stack should have just kept his mouth shut. Great.
The only saving grace in this is Kobe himself. He was interviewed on NBA TV at about 4:30 EST and was upbeat and making jokes about the finger. Judging from his comments, he doesn't see this as a season threatening development and he is prepared to move forward. I hope this all works out for him and The Show.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | February 15, 2008 at 01:55 PM
No. Kobe went to New Orleans because he was committed to making appearances at different charity events that the NBA has scheduled (to the point that NBA has used his name solely in their press releases.. do some google news search and you'll find out). He was going there regardless.
Use "Kobaby" when it is warranted, not for this. Kobe wants to sit.
Posted by: Lakerfan | February 15, 2008 at 01:57 PM
AN1,
"AK, But even then, the decision likely remains up to Kobe, who appears dead set on lacing 'em up." Which article indicates that thought or is that your opinion?"
It's my opinion based on Kobe not really expressing any desire to miss the game. Any wishes for him to miss it seem to be coming from Phil and the organization. Throw in the fact that Kobe's competitiveness and tendency to view most things as a challenge that must be conquered keeps him from sitting "blank" out.
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
____________________________________________
Way to go AK.
.....it takes a man......
But I fully understand your thinking. Kobe is one heck of a competitor and NEVER wants to back down for anything. Sometimes i feel some teams bait him with that to force Kobe into unfavorable situations.
Posted by: AN 1 | February 15, 2008 at 01:58 PM
4 for sure
Posted by: vi lakerfan | February 15, 2008 at 02:00 PM
I can just see it now...
[just before Kobe plays in the All Star Game]
Coach Rivers: Sweep the pinkie.
[Team stares at him in shock]
Coach Rivers: Do you have a problem with that?
Eastern All-Stars: No, Sensei.
Coach Rivers: No mercy.
Okay, maybe not, but that's the first thing I thought of...
Peace
Posted by: Acjunglist702 | February 15, 2008 at 02:05 PM
My prediction... Kobe MVP!!
Posted by: keifo | February 15, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Laker Lover,
Your argument makes absolutely no sense. It's so ridiculous it's not even worth a rebuttal. Suffice it to say, you are suffering from a pretty severe case of haterism. I mean, some people don't like Kobe and admit to being biased against him, but it doesn't mess with the logic of their arguments. You seem to be on another level entirely, where every statement or article is contrived into proof of a conclusion you made long before.
Posted by: Laker Lover??? | February 15, 2008 at 02:05 PM
The fickle finger of fate!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | February 15, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Kobe interview. "My preference is to rest".
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=&categoryId=2459788
Posted by: | February 15, 2008 at 02:09 PM
acjunglist702,
>>>Coach Rivers: Sweep the pinkie.
>>>[Team stares at him in shock]
>>>Coach Rivers: Do you have a problem with that?
>>>Eastern All-Stars: No, Sensei.
>>>Coach Rivers: No mercy.
I can just see Kobe lining up in the Crane position at the start of the fourth quarter...
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 15, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Look people this is really simple, if Kobe is hurt he doesnt play regardless of what nba silly rules it breaks.
Everyone in the Laker organization is telling him to not play and rest the pinkie, yet the league is telling him he has to play? Come on what kind of conspiracy is this?
One more game of rest ( for any suspension) would probably help Kobes pinkie and thus the laker team.
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 15, 2008 at 02:17 PM
I'm going with Option # 4 also. The Black Mamba, the Black Knight, the Kobester - cannot be stopped! He knows what he's capable of, and wants to win but not at the expense of sacrificing the rest of his career. He will be ok - the Laker Nation will be ok - we will parading soon enough.
Posted by: justanothermambafan | February 15, 2008 at 02:20 PM
There was a question I asked in the previous blog that never
got addressed.
What's 6 weeks?
Is that the minimum? average? maximum?
Rick Bueker in his comments about it described it as 6 to 8
weeks recovery time. 8 weeks at this point in the season
is a LOT different than 6 weeks.
Posted by: Long Time Laker Fan | February 15, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Laker Lover,
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you. Thanks for the comic relief. What a Kobe conspiracy. Man he's good. I knew if anybody could you would be the one to find the twist in the Fishy No Name NBA officials plot used by Kobe to cover up his desire to be a selfish ball hog instead of a team player! hahahahahahahahahaha!
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | February 15, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Anybody know the answer to this:
I heard that Deavon George was in the last year of a 2 year contract. Not a 1 year deal. It seems losing your bird rights is for anyone in the last year of a contract who gets traded...Is this not true?
Posted by: zen | February 15, 2008 at 02:26 PM
how many of us actually remembers the ASG. It is a show case for the fans. Has no bearing.
AINOKEA
Posted by: alohaland | February 15, 2008 at 02:26 PM
Acjunglist702 - I like it. I was thinking along the same lines, where players would be just hacking at that hand, which they will be doing from here out.
Also, don't you guys understand that people paid good money to see the stars that they voted into the All-Star game? The point the NBA is making is that if you're good enough to play in a reg season game, you're good enough to play in the All-Star game. You can't treat it as a lower priority. And so it makes sense that if you're going to drop out of the All-Star game, you have to not play at least the next game, too.
By the way, Altanta is no slouch.
Posted by: Amazing_Happens | February 15, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Laker Lover,
You are missing the point entirely. Kobe does want to play in games that count, including Laker games and USA Basketball games. He doesn't want to play in games that are merely exhibition, like the All-Star game.
If he skips out on the All-Star game, he will be forced to miss a Laker game, which he is not willing to do since the Lakers are only 3 games out of being in the lottery. So, he is willing (and resigned) to playing in the All-Star game and will probably play the first minute before sitting down. Both he, Byron Scott, and the league have said as much.
I'm sorry Kobe failed to live up to your disappointing expectations this time around, but you are really trying too hard to paint him as a bad guy here.
Posted by: Laker Lover??? | February 15, 2008 at 02:29 PM
I can just see it now...
[just before Kobe plays in the All Star Game]
Coach Rivers: Sweep the pinkie.
[Team stares at him in shock]
Coach Rivers: Do you have a problem with that?
Eastern All-Stars: No, Sensei.
Coach Rivers: No mercy.
Okay, maybe not, but that's the first thing I thought of...
Peace
Posted by: Acjunglist702 | February 15, 2008 at 02:05 PM
----------------------------------------------------
nice. the lakers-celtics dynasty battles continue.
we are the greatest NBA franchise of all time.
Posted by: sambosola | February 15, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Haven't read through the comments, but did see a little clip at espn.com of Kobe saying that he and the club would rather not play, his responsiblity is to the Lakers management (how IRONIC).
He also described the injury as something he can can gross out his grandkids with. (motioned pulling the offending digit outward 90 degrees).
More than anything, Kobe wants to play, but part of it is giving Stern & the league a hard time.
Stern & co. tried for years to push Kobe off the stage so that the light could shine brightest on Wade (first) and lately LeBron. Carmelo's not being too cooperative as a model citizen.
So, the point is that last year Kobe pissed in Stern's drink a little last year when he made a comment like "I didn't even know I was doing the skills challenge. I didn't agree to it." But he did it for the fans.
Now this year, Kobe's got an excuse, but you know he wants to do it for the fans. Piss in Stern's beer a little more. Now Stern owes Kobe.
Thank God it's Byron Scott and not some hateful, spiteful coach like D'antoni.
Posted by: mel | February 15, 2008 at 02:32 PM
AN1,
"AK, But even then, the decision likely remains up to Kobe, who appears dead set on lacing 'em up." Which article indicates that thought or is that your opinion?"
It's my opinion based on Kobe not really expressing any desire to miss the game. Any wishes for him to miss it seem to be coming from Phil and the organization. Throw in the fact that Kobe's competitiveness and tendency to view most things as a challenge that must be conquered keeps him from sitting "blank" out.
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
-----------------------------
Kobe interview. "My preference is to rest".
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=&categoryId=2459788
Posted by: | February 15, 2008 at 02:09 PM
--------------------
Ak,
Should we not see a post from you soon based on the above information??
Posted by: neal | February 15, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Fan of the Mamba, Laker Lover?
ok answer me this- why is everyone else in the laker organization telling him to not play?
Posted by: Laker Lover | February 15, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Acjunglist702,
Nice reference. "Strike first, strike hard, no mercy SIR!"
Cinematic excellence.
Posted by: #4 | February 15, 2008 at 02:41 PM
It'll be really interesting to see if Kobe can play through this. If he can, it really is the best scenario. Because you really can't force Kobe to do something he doesn't want to to. IN FACT, he'll take the challenge beyond what's humanly possible.
I can see the wheels turning in his head. He's always been able to adjust to what's thrown his way. He'll see this as an opportunity to develop his left handed play. Just like Greg Oden did in college.
Did we ever find out when the bone chip occured? In the Nets game or the Wolves game? Thx.
Posted by: mel | February 15, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Acjunglist702, you are hilarious.
As for Byron, although I'm glad that he's the coach and will let Mamba decide, I think we're giving him too much credit. No coach is going to force Mamba to play if Mamba doesn't want to play. No NBA coach, not even our biggest rivals Mike "Viper" D'Antoni or Doc 'sweep the pinkie' Rivers would be that classless to gain an advantage.
Posted by: Enrico Pollazzo | February 15, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Laker Lover -
Are you just dense, or are you certifiable? Kobe doesn't want to play - the league is making him play. He will have to show up, do a left-handed shot of some kind (or assist or whatever), wave to the crowd & ice his hand while watching the rest of the game from the pine. What don't you understand?
Posted by: justanothermambafan | February 15, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Neal,
Not only have you seen a post from me based on the above information, the comment you just left was in it. Read the actual post.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 15, 2008 at 02:54 PM
AK, Laker lover,
What facts are you basing your argument on? Mindless speculation? As I posted above, (but forgot to include my name), Kobe said himself, "my preference is to rest" in the ESPN Kobe interview. He does NOT want to play. End of story.
Posted by: two0one7 | February 15, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Twooone,
Dude, I admitted I was incorrect. That admission is within the body of this post itself. What more do you want?
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | February 15, 2008 at 02:58 PM