Should Kobe be playing?

Don Draper · Post #1 » by **Don Draper** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:10 pm

Injured finger that needs surgery (I might be wrong on this).

Played 100+ games in 07/08.

Poised to make a title push next year.

Not getting any younger.

If I was a Lakers im not sure I would be too thrilled. Then again I'm a selfish fan. I feel he might be seriously hurting their chances. Is he really going to put in another 100 games?

GuyverX · Post #2 » by **GuyverX** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:14 pm

If I'm the Lakers, I wouldn't want him playing. I'm not a Lakers fan, though, so I don't care. Whatever is good for Team USA.

thegreatblaze · Post #3 » by **thegreatblaze** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:16 pm

I think he should sit out the entire season, minus the 4 games he plays those overrated Blazers. They need a beatdown.

ChocolateThundr · Post #4 » by **ChocolateThundr** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:20 pm

when it comes to conditioning...Kobe's one of the best...so Im not too worried
If the Lakers is at full health, Kobe doesnt even need to score that much

TonyMontana · Post #5 » by **TonyMontana** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:27 pm

obinna wrote:Injured finger that needs surgery (I might be wrong on this).

Played 100+ games in 07/08.

Poised to make a title push next year.

Not getting any younger.

If I was a Lakers im not sure I would be too thrilled. Then again I'm a selfish fan. I feel he might be seriously hurting their chances. Is he really going to put in another 100 games?

Well O, on our board (Lakers) we have posted about this subject and basically we know that he will be having his surgery after the Olympics, but this issue hasnt seem to be slowing or preventing Kobe from playing and competing on high level.
Also you have to factor in his dedication and commitment to the sport.
He feels that this is probably his last chance to play in the Olympics, and personally I think the lose to the Cs has hit him pretty hard so to him this is sort of a Championship at another level.
With Kobe its funny and a lot of people think of him as being arrogant and selfish, but if you actually get to know him and watch him, his game his style and who he is, he only wants to win, he's main focus and desire is to be the best, so to me the success and the outcome of the Olympics is a big goal and another hurdle that he has cleared in establishing his legacy as one of the best.

Am I worried as a Laker fan, not really cause I have seen Kobe have his ups and downs his problems his issues, he always seems to come out on top and stay on top.
As far as hurting our chances, I think the experience of the Olympics and his teamates, I doubt it cause by playing along likes of Lebron, Wade, Mello and others it shows and reflects on his ability to share the ball and count on his teamates to come through, sort of like last year when you could clearly see that he did have faith in his teammates and I think that too will reflect a great deal in the up and coming season.
But I guess were going to have to wait and see, the only problem I think that he will have is the aftermath of his surgery, the timing of his return.

Sedale Threatt · Post #6 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:35 pm

I honestly don't think fatigue will be much of an issue. The pinkie injury obviously isn't that serious, or he would have gotten surgery a long time ago. And I don't see how he's going to be exerting any more effort playing 20 minutes a game and practicing at a moderate pace with Team USA than he would be working out back home.