The Achilles injury Kobe Bryant suffered would keep most players out until the middle of next season or longer — at his age that injury is career threatening.
But he has targeted trying to be back for opening night. Thursday night he was center stage at the Nokia Theater across from Staples Center for an event called “Kobe Up Close Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel” which was really a fundraiser for the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation, which is trying to reduce homelessness.
Of course Kimmel asked Kobe about when he’ll be back (Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times was on hand for the event).“I don’t know if I’ll be ready for opening night. I really don’t know,” Bryant said. “I know I’m really, really ahead of schedule….
“With an Achilles’ injury, it’s just one of those freak situations,” said Bryant, who didn’t want to blame his April season-ending tear on playing too many minutes.
Achilles heal at their own pace, it’s not an injury where more therapy or pushing through the pain really solves everything. There is also a risk of setbacks. Kobe will be back as fast as any human, but when is up in the air.
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak told ESPN Radio in Los Angeles (as reported by the Times’ Pincus) that when and how well Kobe returns will be the key to the Lakers season.
At his charity event, Kobe said what he hoped for was a reduced role this season.
Sure. Kobe is just the kind of guy who will take his foot off the gas so the erratic Nick Young can get extra minutes in an important game.
If things go well these Lakers will still be fighting for one of the bottom playoff seeds in the West. Kobe has been offended than an ESPN panel picked them 12th in the West (I think it will be 10th), and he’s going to want to be out there to prove everyone — including Mother Nature — wrong. It’s how he operates.
What kind of player he is when he returns will determine what seed they are fighting for.