No surgery for Kobe.

[BigGameJames]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/b ... index.html


Correct me if i'm wrong but no where in the article did Kobe say doctors have advisd him against having surgery, just that recovery could take up to 12 weeks. As a Laker fan this could be potentially devestating to us if he hurts it worse. I almost wish he had skipped the Olympics and got this damn thing taken care of.

[dansensei]

I almost wish he had skipped the Olympics and got this damn thing taken care of.

he wouldn't skip the olympics for anything... he even said that winning an olympic medal is better that winning an nba championship...

[BigGameJames]

I almost wish he had skipped the Olympics and got this damn thing taken care of.

he wouldn't skip the olympics for anything... he even said that winning an olympic medal is better that winning an nba championship...

Yeah that's why I said almost, I knew there was no way in hell he'd miss the Olympics, I'm still happy for him and the US team but man I hope he can say healthy this season.

[NovU]

that's great that he values nation's olympic pride over lakers even if he was just saying it.

if he don't go thru no surgery, won't it be worse for the team in the late season and playoffs? if he does take the surgery, he'll be at full strength by jan/feb. i guess he's got different plans. hope to see him at 100% by playoffs.

[Andrew]

I'm guessing if surgery were absolutely necessary, he'd bite the bullet and sit out however long it took to recover from it. It would seem he wants to avoid what Shaq did some years ago and delay surgery to the point where he was still on the shelf by the time the season started and if he can do that without putting himself at risk, that's definitely admirable.

[BigGameJames]

that's great that he values nation's olympic pride over lakers even if he was just saying it.

That's true, you don't usually see that kind of dedication from our superstar athletes.

[kinokong]

Yeah so glad he didn't pull a Shaq on the Lakers. I remember being so pissed off when I learned that fat mofo took 3 months to get 3 opinions. Anyways, everyone can hate on Kobe Bryant for various reasons but you can't deny the fact that he's placed basketball at the front of his priorities for his whole career. It's kinda sad that he gets hated so much because of a couple missteps in his career.

[Andrew]

I wouldn't say it's as simple as that. If nothing else, not everyone in the world is a Laker fan and as such, to fans of the other 29 teams he's an "enemy" who poses a significant threat to his opponents.

[The X]

At least now people can't use the lame excuse, "imagine how good he'd be if he was fully healthy"....he's made his call not to get surgery, so no cop outs Laker/Kobe fans....

[BigGameJames]

Yeah so glad he didn't pull a Shaq on the Lakers. I remember being so pissed off when I learned that fat mofo took 3 months to get 3 opinions. Anyways, everyone can hate on Kobe Bryant for various reasons but you can't deny the fact that he's placed basketball at the front of his priorities for his whole career. It's kinda sad that he gets hated so much because of a couple missteps in his career.

LMFAO! Yeah Shaq is a fat bastard!!!! "I got hurt on company time." What a load of crap, screw you Shaq, tell me how my ass tastes bitch!

[Matthew]

He probably just adjusted to playing with the injury, so surgery wasn't a priority. The only danger is it gets worse and has to have the surgery, he could have to have it at the wrong end of the season and miss the playoffs.

[Eugene]

Well, he's quoted as saying that he doesn't think he can hurt it any worse... what does that mean, like the fingers are essentially dead?

I have a feeling Kobe might be one of those guys that'd cut off those fingers before missing a big playoff game (which is possible, since your ring finger and pinky are relatively inconsequential as far as shooting goes).

[The X]

I personally think he should've got it, but ahh well, I can see he doesn't want to let the team down....he'll get it done next offseason....

[Andrew]

I won't pretend that I know how Kobe is feeling or that I have any insider knowledge on the injury but judging on his performance last season and his appearance in every Lakers game, I'm guessing it's at least manageable. The risk of further injury is there but then the risk of re-injury or some other severe injury would still be present even if he opted for surgery at this time. Likewise, his absence from the team at the beginning of the year could prove to be just as costly as losing him for a spell midway through the season, potentially placing the team in a hole and hurting their chances at homecourt advantage come Playoff time.

[NovU]

the thing is the most fans are saddened cuz they might not be able to see 100% healthy kobe. i for one really wanted to witness how strong healthy lakers are. hopely he don't blame his injury much when they don't do good.

[kinokong]

well if you check out his stats before and after the injury, it seems like that it isn't bothering him much. also he looked pretty good during the olympics so i guess we'll have to trust him with this judgement

[Andrew]

Exactly. We can only speculate as to how much it's bothering him but if he can forego surgery for the meantime then I think we can assume it's manageable. I'm sure if surgery was necessary or the injury was of a different nature - say, a severe knee injury - he wouldn't put it off.

[Doobie]

I know he has a torn ligament on his finger but I've played with a broken middle finger, no procedure taken it healed naturally. I regret doing that cause now its too late and my finger can't close all the way, still hurts sometimes when I bend it.