Basketball fans held their collective breath Friday night, hoping for the best. Surely, Kobe Bryant would get up, dust off his jersey, and keep on putting a group of under-achieving prima donnas and washed-up stars on his ever-reliable shoulders. Surely, Kobe would act like Kobe. Surely, he would dip into his seemingly bottomless bag of motivation and will himself off the floor.
To the detriment of the NBA, that wasn’t the case. One of the league’s brightest stars – and angriest alpha males – has a probable torn Achilles. The injury occurred during Friday night’s must-win against the Warriors, mid-way through the fourth quarter, on a relatively routine drive to the basket.
The Lakers would go on to avenge Kobe’s injury, at least for the time being. But a playoff series is as questionable as ever: Los Angeles’ last games of the season are against San Antonio and Houston, two dangerous playoff teams who are still trying to win preferential seeding. In a lengthy, emotional message posted on his Facebook, Bryant declared “I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru [sic].”
Let’s just say that the Laker do sneak in, that their veterans step up in the Black Mamba’s absence. The two hypothetical playoff scenarios – against the Spurs or against the Thunder – have devolved from “must-watch” to “okay, seeing the Lakers get blown out by double-digits was funny the first two times, but this is getting depressing.”
Especially when you consider the point guard match-ups: either Russell Westbrook or Tony Parker will fricassee Steve Nash without Kobe’s still-solid perimeter D. And let’s be honest: nobody wants to see Nash get done like that. Needless to say, what has been a Hollywood comedy all season (if you aren’t a Lakers fan, of course) just became much more somber.
Update: Adding in the full text of Kobe’s Facebook posting from late last night (3:30AM PST), just because.
“This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I’ve done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I’m supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
“I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that
was. Maybe this is how my book
ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me…Then again maybe not! It’s 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I’m wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what’s the purpose of social media if I won’t bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.“One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
“If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear”. Ive always loved that quote. Thats “mamba mentality” we don’t quit, we don’t cower, we don’t run. We endure and conquer.“I know it’s a long post but I’m Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.
Mamba Out”