Kobe Bryant Injury Update

Last night the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Charlotte Bobcats in a preseason matchup which may have resulted in some serious consequences for last season's MVP Kobe Bryant. In the second quarter of this preseason game against the Bobcats on Tuesday, Kobe hyperextended his right knee after colliding with the new Lakers forward Josh Powell. The injury wasn't near as bad as Andrew Bynum's season ending knee injury last season, but out of all the injuries you can get playing basketball, the ankles and knees can be the worst in terms of keeping you out of action. Out of all the stars and role players on the Los Angeles Lakers, the one player coach Phil Jackson cannot afford to lose coming into this season is Kobe Bryant.

Although the seriousness of the injury Kobe sustained Tuesday is being kept quiet, the silence is defining for Lakers fans. The news as of Wednesday morning is that Kobe will not go undergo an MRI on his injured knee. Now I'm not sure this is necessarily good news. The fact that the Lakers are saying he will not undergo an MRI makes me think of a few scenarios. One, Kobe doesn't want to miss any time and believes there is no serious damage to his knee. Admirable in a way, but if his knee isn't 100% or there is some damage to his knee that can only be seen through an MRI then this injury may flare up at some point during the season and come back to haunt Kobe and the Lakers. Two, the injury is serious, but the Lakers don't want another media circus like they have experienced in the last couple of seasons. Hopefully, the injury turns out to be nothing. With all the attention these injuries to superstars get these days, we seem to forget that these guys are in very good shape and can walk off injuries like this a lot easier than the majority of people. Even though Kobe left in the second quarter and did not return, the Lakers still prevailed and beat the Charlotte Bobcats 102-98.

"I'm all right, a little bit better today, a better mood, anyway," Bryant said after sitting out practice due to the hyperextended right knee he suffered Tuesday night in the second quarter of the Lakers' 102-98 preseason victory over the Charlotte Bobcats in San Diego. Wearing an ice bag on his knee, Bryant said he felt a lot better about his injury Wednesday morning. "There was no swelling," he said. "At that point, I knew I was OK. Some injuries can go either way. You've got to get lucky. I didn't sleep much, to be honest with you. Just moving it around, seeing if it was all right. These type of injuries kind of sneak up on you."


Bryant, the reigning NBA MVP, was injured under the Lakers' basket when he banged knees with teammate Josh Powell while going for a rebound. He immediately signaled to the bench that he was hurt, and a timeout was called. Bryant then sat at the end of the bench before walking to the locker room, and didn't return for the second half. "I saw the ring flash before my eyes," Bryant said. "I was pretty worried. That's the scariest part, sitting there for five or 10 minutes, seeing what's going to develop."

The 30-year-old Bryant, was examined Wednesday by trainer Gary Vitti, won't see a doctor or have an MRI. He said he hopes to play Thursday night when the Lakers face the Bobcats again, this time in Anaheim. "If I can go, I can go," Bryant said. "It's all good." Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he wouldn't talk Bryant out of playing. "We always like players to go out and play," the coach said. "That's what they do. It gives us a chance to go out and function on the floor." While Jackson said he wasn't too concerned, he added: "Seeing this injury over the course of my career, it's an injury you can't minimize at all. It could have some lingering effects. We'll see how it is tomorrow. We kind of go day to day in this business."

May this year be the Los Angeles Lakers season! Hopefully our MVP, Kobe Bryant is okay and can work through this injury. Hopefully all of our guys can stay healthy and play good basketball this year! The regular season begins Tuesday October 28 at 7:30 (PST). The Lakers need their fans support so let's root them on to another fantastic season!

~LF