Kobe will not have surgery on finger

[dockingsched]

https://www.kb24.com/news/article/715.html

After seeking numerous opinions from hand specialists, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has decided to forgo surgery on his right pinkie. Fresh off his Olympic Gold Medal performance in Beijing, Bryant expressed that he did not want to miss any time on the court when Lakers training camp opens later this month.

"I have always felt that I can still focus and play at a high level even through various injuries. That's really just part of the game. When the doctors told me recovery from a procedure could be 12 weeks, I just decided now was not the time to have surgery. What it really came down to for me is that I just didn't want to miss any time 'punching the clock' for the Lakers, given all we are trying to accomplish as a team this NBA season. I am just really excited and looking forward to being there with the guys when camp opens in a few weeks. That is a real bonding process and if I can avoid being on the sidelines for that, God willing, I will," said Bryant.

[TylersLakers]

I can't hate on this decision. He's shown that he can play through it and if recovery is 12 weeks.. That's a lot to miss. You can tell Kobe wants this team to click from Day One.

Hopefully this doesn't come back to bite us later on though.

[hermes]

what? i just read yesterday he was going to get it done but hadn't picked a day yet, nows he's not doing it?

as long as he's still kobe-great i'm fine with it

[LAL4Life]

https://www.kb24.com/news/article/715.html

After seeking numerous opinions from hand specialists, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has decided to forgo surgery on his right pinkie. Fresh off his Olympic Gold Medal performance in Beijing, Bryant expressed that he did not want to miss any time on the court when Lakers training camp opens later this month.

"I have always felt that I can still focus and play at a high level even through various injuries. That's really just part of the game. When the doctors told me recovery from a procedure could be 12 weeks, I just decided now was not the time to have surgery. What it really came down to for me is that I just didn't want to miss any time 'punching the clock' for the Lakers, given all we are trying to accomplish as a team this NBA season. I am just really excited and looking forward to being there with the guys when camp opens in a few weeks. That is a real bonding process and if I can avoid being on the sidelines for that, God willing, I will," said Bryant.

Takin' a little jab at Mr. I-Got-Hurt-On-Company-Time-I'll-Heal-On-Company-Time

[Slava]

He just doesn't want the Lakers to suffer for his participation in the olympics imo. Though this is a wonderful gesture form your star player, I just hope it doesn't get any worse over the course of a long season.

[kno]

I wouldnte preferred for him to get teh surgery done now and miss very minimal time (if any) off the beginning of the season, but if he comes back and performs and the same level he was performing last season post-injury, I cant exactly complain.

Lets just hope it doesnt fkk him up in the long run.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

Reminds me of how shaq waited till camp started to have the toe surgery.

[Rox_Nix_Nox]

What the hell? the team can hold it down kobe, kwame an smush arent on the team anymore.

[dockingsched]

with a 12 week recovery he's looking at missing about 20 games. with all the garbage on the team i don't know if they can hold a top spot for that long.

[Danny Darko]

wow, I wonder what the implications are long term. Interesting...

[LLcoleJ]

his finger and his legacy.. if he thinks he can play through it.. and he has played through it at very high levels.. then...

game on.

[LAL4Life]

I think the most important part of the article that's being overlooked is the "after seeking numerous opinions from hand specialists" part. This isn't some risky decision Kobe has made simply because he doesn't want to miss time. He's obviously consulted with a lot of people and came to a well-informed decision. I'm sure if there were any long-term risks, he'd have the surgery.

Besides, didn't Kobe go on record multiple times last year saying that it's an injury that can't get any worse and just becomes painful from time to time? I think that was his justification for not having the surgery during last season.

[snaquille oatmeal]

He just doesn't want the Lakers to suffer for his participation in the olympics imo. Though this is a wonderful gesture form your star player, I just hope it doesn't get any worse over the course of a long season.

[That Nicka]

if he thinks he can play through it.. and he has played through it at very high levels.. then...

game on.

[snaquille oatmeal]

:waiting: for the Paul Pierce fake injury comparisons from the usual suspects.

[Gerald3Wallace]

what a beast.

[Slava]

He just doesn't want the Lakers to suffer for his participation in the olympics imo. Though this is a wonderful gesture form your star player, I just hope it doesn't get any worse over the course of a long season.

Oops! didn't mean it that way. I stand corrected.

[DEEP3CL]

People the tendon that the whole media is over exaggerating is nothing that he can damage any further. Hell it hasn't affected his shooting that much and maybe Gary " McGuyver " Vitti can improve on the tape job.

[Luxury]

Although I have mixed feelings about this, I hope Kobe's decision and dedication rubs off on our other players.

[Dexmor]

This is really stupid. A team with Bynum-Gasol and Odom should be able to hold down the fort for 20 games. Not only that he needs a rest anyway. Finals all the way into the olympics and no time off?
If I was Phil I would force him to have it.