Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports.
Everyone has seen their favorite player go down and a season’s hopes fall along with him. That happened to the Los Angeles Lakers fans and Kobe Bryant this past weekend.
The sports world was in awe with the news Bryant had completely ruptured his Achilles tendon. It’s a brutal injury, and it's difficult for most players to ever return to their previous form.
Bryant finished the season at the ripe age of 34, which is in the twilight years for a professional basketball player. It’s also worth noting that Bryant has extra mileage on his legs, because he turned pro after high school.
Bryant was still playing great basketball.
Yes, the Lakers were struggling. But it does not take away from what Bryant was doing so late in his career.
The Lakers' immediate future is now very uncertain.
The recovery time is expected to be six to nine months for Bryant. This would be very conceivable for a player in his prime and less mileage. For Bryant, the prognosis is less clear.
Bryant has never really suffered a significant injury throughout his legendary career. He’ll be 35 years old in a few months. The question becomes, how will his body respond?
An Achilles rupture is arguably the most devastating injury a basketball player could endure, even more so than blowing out a knee.
Look at Derrick Rose and his ACL injury.
Yes, Rose has technically been medically cleared to play. That being said, he still doesn’t feel ready to return to the hardwood.
He’s 24 and has much less wear and tear on his body. For all intensive purposes, he’s missed the entire season. That’s even if he can return in the postseason, which I highly doubt at this point.
Whatever the Lakers do this season no longer matters. The playoffs are completely irrelevant.
This team was assembled to win a championship. They have been a massive disappointment to say the least. Bryant's injury only adds to the agony of this season for Lakers fans.
It’s difficult to imagine a scenario where Kobe Bryant returns to his previous form following this injury. Bryant was averaging 27.3 points per game this season, along with 6.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds. These are truly incredibly numbers considering his age.
Now, I don’t know how much he has left in the tank. Is it realistic to think Bryant can regain his old form? I just don’t know.
His Facebook post following the injury voiced his own doubts and frustrations. He spoke very candidly about how this might be the end for him. He said that Father Time might have finally caught up with him.
Then in typical Kobe fashion he said forget about all that.
"There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles," Bryant posted. "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."
We all know that Bryant has incredible will and determination and he will work harder than anyone to come back. It’s what made him so great throughout the years.
Unfortunately, will and determination can’t defeat Father Time. It’s sad to see an all-time great potentially go out on such a sour note.
As a sports fan and fan of transcendent athletes, I really hope that it’s not “Mamba out” for good.
The NBA simply wouldn’t be the same.
Reach the columnist at jbisaccia@asu.edu or follow on Twitter @JosephBisaccia
