Kobe Bryant refuses MRI exam, says he'll play Tuesday
After practice Monday, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson was asked if Kobe Bryant would play in Game 5 of the Hornets series Tuesday.
"He says he'll play," Jackson said.
The Lakers want Bryant to have an MRI exam and an X-ray on his sprained left ankle, but he's refusing to have either.
Bryant was injured in the final minutes of Sunday's Game 4 loss in New Orleans when he landed awkwardly on his left ankle while defending Willie Green.
Bryant did not speak to the media Monday.
The Western Conference first-round series is tied at 2-2.
--Mike Bresnahan
Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant hobbles on the court after injuring his left ankle in Game 4 on Sunday night in New Orleans. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
Mamba... Dude... Get the exam fool! It doesn't mean you don't have to play but at least know what you're playing with and on!
You know this is all about trying to motivate his teammates and they all better show up and play like they did in Game 3!
GO LAKERS!! You have a championship on the line...
Posted by: frmkt | April 25, 2011 at 04:57 PM
What a fool! If its something more than a sprain and he causes more damage by playing, then he deserves it for not having it checked out first. Throwing away a potential championship over an ego. Maybe it doesn't matter to him, he's got 5 rings. But don't you think it matters to guys like Blake, Barnes, Trey Johnson, etc?
Posted by: RobertM320 | April 25, 2011 at 05:06 PM
"Mamba... Dude... Get the exam fool! It doesn't mean you don't have to play but at least know what you're playing with and on!
You know this is all about trying to motivate his teammates and they all better show up and play like they did in Game 3!
GO LAKERS!! You have a championship on the line...
Posted by: frmkt | April 25, 2011 at 04:57 PM "
I think he knows he's fine and doesn't want to waste a half hour with a doctor. For various reasons, he may want his health status to remain in question.
Posted by: Bay to LA | April 25, 2011 at 05:08 PM
I would still take Kobe with a broken leg and 2 broken arms over Shannon "brickshot" Brown.
Posted by: BLACKMAMBA24 | April 25, 2011 at 05:09 PM
The Bulimic 1/2 Empty Glass - your comments are getting personal and i'm going to delete them
Posted by: Mark Medina | April 25, 2011 at 05:12 PM
Kobe is a petulant, egomaniacal fool who shows up his teammates on the floor and thinks the world revolves around him. Newsflash, Ego: it doesn't.
Posted by: Jack Charles | April 25, 2011 at 05:15 PM
I saw a lot of interesting comments on the TALL lineup.
Dubious is the word that springs to mind.
Y'all *seem* to be of the believe that size makes up for a lack of
quickness.
My observation is that that is untrue. I could be wrong.
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 25, 2011 at 05:22 PM
LLT!
You banned me, that's not funny!
Posted by: Mark G | April 25, 2011 at 05:25 PM
From the announcers at the SAS-MEM Game 4: Coach Pop's biggest concern - Marc Gasol.
Posted by: The Snake | April 25, 2011 at 05:27 PM
Any predictions for the games tonight? I'll roll with the state of Texas...SA and the Mavs to bounce back.
Posted by: LRob | April 25, 2011 at 05:31 PM
Has Kobe gone loco...why not be safe and take the MRI...he is not paying for it...
Posted by: LEWSTRS | April 25, 2011 at 05:35 PM
"Kobe Bryant refuses MRI exam, says he'll play Tuesday" = I'm dropping 27 with 8 dimes.
Posted by: HmrHed | April 25, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Lakers pay Kobe's salary? Don't they also provide his medical treatment, and his health insurance? Don't they also have millions of dollars invested in Kobe producing on the court?
The answer to all these questions is YES.
SO, when your BOSS says get an MRI, you get a damn MRI.
What an egomaniac. What a fool.
Posted by: RobertM320 | April 25, 2011 at 05:38 PM
@LRob - SAS will probably win but I am rooting for MEM. I would like to see a Gasol v. Gasol matchup in the WCF.
Posted by: The Snake | April 25, 2011 at 05:38 PM
LRob - dedicated to your last post...
Buddy Holly and the Crickets
"That'll Be the Day"
Where all the bravado came from is anybody's guess. Even by 1957 standards, this Lubbock teen looked, well, like a geek. But there was no denying the song Holly and his band, the Crickets, rolled out from Norman Petty's Clovis, New Mexico, studio onto the national stage. "That'll Be the Day" borrowed its title from the catchphrase of John Wayne's character in The Searchers and boasted a swagger worthy of the Duke. "You say you're gonna leave," Holly taunts. "You know it's a lie 'cause/That'll be the day when I die." Musically, with pounding drums and precision studio guitar and vocal work, its innovations weren't confined to it being a rock and roll recording. "Day" kicked off what would prove to be an enduring body of work. Unfortunately, Holly had an all too short eighteen months left.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk6YDzmqZ0I
Posted by: LEWSTRS | April 25, 2011 at 05:39 PM
@blackmamba24..rotflmao brickshot brown..lol.No one metioned it,but it's time to wonder if he's related to kwame stone hands brown..lol
@hobbit your posts are usually on point man,and you're usually pro kobe(lol)However I think at some point your best players should be on the floor.besides it's not like speed is given up by taking the fish out the water it's quite the opposite.also the past 04',08' and a $h!t load of games b4 and after have shown PJ's stubborness and unwillingness to make adjustments,which has caused a few chips,and numerous losses..
BTW ya'll leave kobe alone..Pick on the other players who are playing like a bunch of F F's,Like blkmamba said broken foot n all he's still better than most.......
Posted by: VI Lakerfan | April 25, 2011 at 05:41 PM
"What a fool! If its something more than a sprain and he causes more damage by playing, then he deserves it for not having it checked out first. Throwing away a potential championship over an ego. Maybe it doesn't matter to him, he's got 5 rings. But don't you think it matters to guys like Blake, Barnes, Trey Johnson, etc?
Posted by: RobertM320 | April 25, 2011 at 05:06 PM "
He played on it after it happened. He wanted to play immediately after when he could barely walk. Since he could physically still run on it after a few minutes, I don't think there is anything they could find in that MRI that would make him decide not to play.
By refusing the MRI, he:
1. Saves time
2. Looks tough
3. Leaves his health in question so the Hornets may expect less from him
4. Will look more heroic if he plays well but if he doesn't play well, they can say he wasn't 100%
I don't know if any of these four motivate his decision but they are all benefits of it. He has already decided he has playing so the MRI doesn't do any good.
Posted by: Bay to LA | April 25, 2011 at 05:42 PM
Didn't see anyone post this little nugget from BK's "fun with numbers" column from game 4...
The best defender the Lakers had on CP3 on Sunday night, at least measured by Paul's scoring output, was Derek Fisher. Paul was 1-for-7 against Fisher for five points, plus eight assists. Against everyone else (that includes Bynum, who filled the role, played by Gasol in Game 1, of "big who too often found himself on the wrong end of a P and R switch"), CP3 was 6-of-7 for 22 points, along with seven assists.
http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/18436/more-fun-with-game-4-numbers-post-play-and-defending-cp3
Posted by: LRob | April 25, 2011 at 05:42 PM
It is simple as this, if Kobe cannot walk or run then he would sit down.
I think Lakers can win without Kobe especially on a home game. However, it is impossible to win the West without Kobe in the next round or if ever in the WCF series.
Playoffs are games of adjustment so far Lakers are good in that area.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 25, 2011 at 05:49 PM
@LRob - SAS will probably win but I am rooting for MEM. I would like to see a Gasol v. Gasol matchup in the WCF.
Posted by: The Snake | April 25, 2011 at 05:38 PM
-
I think the winner will play OKC...So I rather have SAS winning this series to beat OKC later.
I think we have a better shot against SAS.
Posted by: Magic Phil | April 25, 2011 at 05:50 PM
I was initially conflicted by Kobe not taking an MRI ... but let's be real, we don't stand a chance in the playoffs without him ... this guy has worked his butt off all season to leave d faith our 3peat 2 an mri machine ... Kobe's simply saying come rain or shine, we'll meet u on the battle ground
Yeah cp3 is balling and yes Gasol is struggling ... but the black mamba's still checking in at staples center ... he's gonna give it his best shot ... this is what he does time and time again ...
He's going 2 need major help though ... Artest has 2 guard cp3 ... and he's got to contain him ... we didn't get Artest so we could get smacked in the mouth in this manner ... yeah he's quick but lets clobber him a bit ... We need 2 be more physical ...
this is the playoffs ... this is when we rock, wake up fellas ...
Posted by: segeboy | April 25, 2011 at 05:50 PM
"I saw a lot of interesting comments on the TALL lineup.
Dubious is the word that springs to mind.
Y'all *seem* to be of the believe that size makes up for a lack of
quickness.
My observation is that that is untrue. I could be wrong.
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 25, 2011 at 05:22 PM "
I see it as more of an offensive strategy than a defensive one. The tall lineup could get eaten alive on defense by teams that play a lot in transition and shoot well from the outside but the hope is that they would work the ball inside and overpower teams offensively with their size.
If Dallas had to play against the tall lineup, they would pay on the defensive side for having a player like Jason Terry or JJ Barea in the game.
Posted by: Bay to LA | April 25, 2011 at 05:50 PM
re: Kobe & the MRI.
hmmm ... Are y'all not paying attention?
Gasol is playing like a stuffed animal. I think Kobe is terrified that if he
doesn't play the Hornets will beat the Lakers.
Tell the truth. Aren't you?
Tell the truth. After watching Pau play. After watching Odom disappear.
After watching the bench disappear. Aren't you nervous?
We went from a 4-game sweep, to a 5-1 domination to now, at best 4-2,
which is exactly what happened w/ the OKC Thunder.
Not winning the championship *THIS* year is extra-ordinarily bad because
it would be sending Phil out on a loss & Kobe couldn't lead his team to a
3-peat & blah, blah, blah ...
Who trusts in Pau, & Artest & Barnes & Bynum to win a championship w/o
Kobe?
Posted by: hobbitmage | April 25, 2011 at 05:50 PM
Don't think I have ever heard Kobe use injury as an excuse for not playing well.
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | April 25, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Kobe isn't exactly playing great hobbit...
What was his line on the first half...
Can Kobe win the bling by himself...
I know he would try, but CAN HE???
Who trust Kobe to win a championship w/o Pau, Artest, Barnes and Bynum?
Posted by: LEWSTRS | April 25, 2011 at 05:58 PM
"Don't think I have ever heard Kobe use injury as an excuse for not playing well.
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | April 25, 2011 at 05:55 PM "
He won't use it as an excuse, he always says he's fine. I meant that other people would be able to say he wasn't 100%.
Posted by: Bay to LA | April 25, 2011 at 05:59 PM
If Kobe was hurt, his employer would demand further tests. The fact Kobe is not mandated to submit to further medical diagnosis/testing tells me his injury is not that bad. 2 down, 14 to go for #17! Go Lakers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: desertlaker | April 25, 2011 at 06:04 PM
Bay,
Gotcha.
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | April 25, 2011 at 06:04 PM
I realize Kobe has a mentality sometimes of not seeing the forest for the trees, but always plays hard and does what he thinks best (agreed not always correct). I look at all the rest of our guys and see this:
Artest-Solid D, off and on shooting
Gasol-Sure, soft, but he's never gonna be Shaq, plays well most of the time
Bynum-Playing well lately, but gets pushed out of a good post, Gasol too
Odom-Fairly consistent, but don't know when he's made a real difference
Fisher-Non-factor usually
Barnes-Tries hard
Blake-Over his head, evidently
Brown-Way too erratic
Walton-Unfortunately his days are numbered as a Laker, numbered TOO high
Smith-Who
Ratclif-Again, who
Just my assessment, where am I wrong?
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | April 25, 2011 at 06:07 PM
Bay to LA,
Kobe has not been 100% for the last two years now.
Reasons why he slowed down considerably are the nagging aches on ankle, knees, fingers and back. Now another twisted ankle on a former injury. That's why the true MRI for these type of players if they can no longer walk or run then they're completely injured. I'm sure they will take an Xray or MRI but will not be announced to the public just for internal consumption and if there are no fractures, he will play. I don't know guys if you saw I. Thomas of Pistons or Willis Reed of Knickerbockers or Wilt Chamberlain whose two hands were in bandage and still made 20+.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 25, 2011 at 06:09 PM
@snake – I’m rooting for Memphis also, but my head is giving the Spurs a slight edge in 7.
@hobbit – The Lakers aren’t winning a chip without Kobe. But they ain’t winning one without Pau, Drew, Ron, bench, etc.
@MagicPhil – I agree about OKC, but I can’t see the Spurs beating them.
@Lew - Now that’s a classic. How about a Buddy Holly disciple…who also died very young. And since the Spurs and Mavs are fighting for their lives.
Bobby Fuller – I Fought the Law.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPXnoLAEUSQ
Posted by: LRob | April 25, 2011 at 06:10 PM
Nice one LRob...I've heard of him, but never knew he was a Holly disciple...I can see Buddy's influence...
Posted by: LEWSTRS | April 25, 2011 at 06:14 PM
Is he stupid? Why refuse an MRI and XRay? Whom is he trying to fo-ol? His stupid macho attitude is one reason this series is tied. He should have rested during the season when he injured the ankle, but stubborn machoman would not!!
Posted by: keen observer | April 25, 2011 at 06:20 PM
lakers need to get this last championship then die off tired of all the hollywood drama shut up and play oh forgot artest a rapper lamar a tv star fisher a bum kobe washed up byum one rebound away from a busted knee lol are you kidding me kobe bryant the washed up years lol lol lol
Posted by: shane | April 25, 2011 at 06:25 PM
Kobe is a warrior. He knows if he can play or not.
Posted by: Cornell | April 25, 2011 at 06:28 PM
3 peat or defeat??? lol lol they have a size advantage lol lol lakers should just let fisher guard paul one on one lol lol
Posted by: shane | April 25, 2011 at 06:28 PM
fisher is a bum lol maybe if you put 0.4 on the clock he can make a shot lol
Posted by: shane | April 25, 2011 at 06:37 PM
kobe dont worry lol
Posted by: shane | April 25, 2011 at 06:41 PM
perkins was right pau is a bitch lol
Posted by: shane | April 25, 2011 at 06:43 PM
wow, is anyone watching the san antoinette spurs completely self destruct? this is amazing, looks like it's going to be grizzlies vs thunder.
Posted by: jerseylakersfan | April 25, 2011 at 07:00 PM
If Pau has a quarter of Kobe's grit and determination, we would already won a three peat and going for a quatropeat this year. Pau is a wuss in lion's clothes. And guys, I'm done bashing Fish, yes he's a step or two slower nowadays and his shots are no longer find the net consistently, but I would rather have him during the crucial time than the Shannon "Stone Hand" Brown (aka: Mini Kwame) or Steve "Hot Potatoes" Blake!
Kobe will will his way into triumph tomorrow night, it will be a laughter!
In Kobe, We Trust!
Posted by: Wallace | April 25, 2011 at 07:10 PM
In Kobe, We Trust. He's warrior. Those nay-Sayers can/will never understand. I actually pay to watch him play, and no one else.
Posted by: Terry | April 25, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Cornell...Kobe is not a "warrior." He's not a soldier; he's a basketball player with an insufferable ego.
Posted by: Jack Charles | April 25, 2011 at 07:24 PM
i pay comcast for league past to watch the nba lol lol
Posted by: shane | April 25, 2011 at 07:30 PM
artest quick try to get your championship ring back you might not get another one lol lol.
Posted by: shane | April 25, 2011 at 07:37 PM
Kobe knows his body, give him a break. Lakers need to play their Defense and Pau needs to come out growling like his grizzly brother and get intense and tough. I respect the fact that unlike one of the Lakers Kobe doesn't miss a game because he stubs his toe or breaks a nail LOL. This is the playoffs, what he lives and breathes for.
Posted by: anita | April 25, 2011 at 07:46 PM
My god I think the basketball IQ on this thread is a combined 200 minus my 150. Kobe can't buy a break. He came back into the game on a bad wheel and instead of doing what everyone bitches at him about, shoot the ball, he delivered the game winning pass right into the stunned chest of Pau Gasol who had the easy two. Nevermind the key missed free throw and whopping 4 rebounds.
This was a game plan meant to dominate the Lakers strengths and would have worked if Gasol wasn't all "deer in the headlights" yet again. So now Kobe's selfish because he doesnt want to get an X Ray? Anyone who plays ball knows what a sprained ankle can be. You dont need a film. You can either play on it or you cant. If this were October his two combined ankle sprains would probably cost him 2-4 weeks. Newsflash. Were two games from going fishing. Kobe plays. If Phil doesnt like what he sees he gets to put him on the bench.
Get over it.
Posted by: Brian Michaels | April 25, 2011 at 08:29 PM
kobe has 7/24 medical care and i'm pretty sure its probably the best in the world... i'm also pretty sure that their advice is what he's listening to and because they don't want to get fired, they're giving him pretty good advice...
what i think needs to happen is phil needs to be clear was it at stake here: this isn't about the work they did this season its about the work they have put in the last three seasons to be in a unique and rarefied situation : a chance to three-peat. If these grown, talented and intelligent men don't grasp that, then they don't deserve top win anything. If they go fishing because of the Hornets good on the Hornets for wanting to seize their day... carpe diem baby!
Posted by: keith clarke | April 25, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Lakers in Five, babe.
Posted by: IQ 150 | April 25, 2011 at 09:03 PM
ummm iq so the lakers will win the series 3-2? the lakers shouldn't let this hit the media that kobe refuses to take an mri. it shows that kobe doesn't answer to anyone.
Posted by: island priest | April 25, 2011 at 09:16 PM
maybe he doesnt want the mri or ankle because he thinks its not necessary? these are professional athletes and they know when they need help. dont be retarded and call him stupid or a fool. he has made hundreds of millions of dollars, he not stupid.
Posted by: billy | April 25, 2011 at 09:24 PM
we will still be champions...just wait and see....
Posted by: Lakers4realz | April 25, 2011 at 09:37 PM
Read the above....I say let him play without having an XR or MRI. You seriously think that he wouldn't play in this crucial game 5? Andrew played with a bum knee last year knowing that it wouldn't cause further damage.
A foot sprain or a small fracture in his foot--it'll cause him pain, he just has to keep it iced, wrapped and am sure Gary Vitti will configure some type of padding for his shoe....maybe he needs to change his shoes, too, so he doesn't keep rolling that ankle.
He sits, they lose. He probably figures he'd then have all spring and summer to let it heal....let him play.
GO, LAKERS!!
Posted by: Lakerlady | April 25, 2011 at 09:41 PM
That's a nice heineken commercial pau gasol made. He has quick hands.
Posted by: island priest | April 25, 2011 at 09:43 PM
Kobe is my man and no one should ever doubt him. Early in the last game I started to wonder if he was hurt....or pouting. I know, I know but you have to wonder in this new generation. No points in the first half? Come on, you had to get fouled , make a free throw, tip-in or something. And hell no, we will not win counting on Artest to be the leading scorer. Pau seems to feel your funk also. Look Kobe, father time is undefeated, Phil already had his last zen, Tim Duncan, a great warrior, is like Ali in his last days, and you my friend are looking at, maybe, your last hurrah. It's like the jackals against the old lions. Make your last dance your best dance, Go Lakers
Posted by: jay | April 25, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Don't worry bout Kobe.... it's part of the theatrics. "Welcome to Hollywood.. what's yor dream"?
Posted by: jay | April 25, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Dick Bavetta is 71-years-old and goes 48 minutes per game. So 32-year-old Kobe is over the hill? Whatever.
Posted by: slimtata | April 25, 2011 at 11:27 PM
I think Kobe's been playin long enough to know his limits. His pain threshold and warrior spirit are unparalleled in all of sports. The vitriol towards Kobe here is ridiculous. If he doesn't play, the Lakers don't have a shot. If he plays and aggravates the injury, so be it. This is part of what makes Kobe great. Love him or hate him you gotta respect his heart. Of course he must have ulterior motives for this, right Laker haters?? Loves the drama, the spotlight, the attention. Please. This aint about his ego. It's about wanting to win at all costs. These are the playoffs and it's about manning up. I guarantee if it was Derrick Rose refusing an MRI for his sprained ankle we'd be hearing "this is what makes him the MVP" and similar comments. Always a double standard with Kobe. All you haters will be eating your words when Kobe hoists the O'Brien hardware over his head at the end of the season.
Posted by: Mark | April 25, 2011 at 11:45 PM
Kobe isn't bothering with the MRI or XRay, because he wants to play and win so bad it doesn't matter to him what they show. Not sure it's the best decision, but I gotta admire his spirit. This is what truly makes Kobe great, his pure desire to be the best and win the most. The true heart of a champion. Go Lakersssss. I want to go to the parade again! 3peat! :)
Posted by: Debbie | April 25, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Calm down. An mri is simply confirmation of a diagnosis. Theyve seen a billion sprains before and know fully the consequences. He had an xray of the ankle anyways whc wud be the major problem as thers no joints in the foot.
Posted by: Louis tape | April 26, 2011 at 03:48 AM
KOBE, GOD BLESS YOU. WHO KNOWS YOUR BODY BETTER THAN YOU DO. WITH OUT CALLING NAMES, THOSE WHO NEED TO STEP UP NEED TO STEP UP. NEW ORLEANS IS FOR REAL AND BELIEVE THEY CAN ACTUALLY WIN THIS SERIES AND IF YOU'LL DON'T BRING YOUR A GAME. NEED I SAY MORE. YOU'RE THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE NOW GO OUT THERE AND PROVE IT. THIS YOUNG MAN IS WILLING TO RISK HIS HEALTH AND MR. JACKSON WANTS TO GO OUT A WINNER. SHOW THESE TWO WARRIORS HOW YOU REALLY FEEL ABOUT THEM BY GOING OUT AND DOMINATING THIS GAME. REMEMBER NEW ORLEANS HAS ALREADY PROVEN ONCE THEY CAN BEAT US AT HOME. REMEMBER ITS NOT THE FAST RIDE THAT GETS YOU, ITS ALWAYS THE SUDDEN STOP. GOD BLESS ALLY OF YOU'LL. NOW GO HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS. KOBE, I'VE BEEN WATCHING SPORTS FOR OVER FOURTY FIVE YEARS AND I WILL SAY, YOU'RE IN CATEGORY BY YOURSELF WHEN IT COMES TO DETERMINATION AND PROCLIMATION. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. A LABORER IS WORTHY OF THEIR HIRE. ZECHARIAH 4:6 JEREMIAH 32:27
Posted by: RICK | April 26, 2011 at 10:50 AM