The Los Angeles Lakers will be without Kobe Bryant for the fourth straight game as the team faces the Denver Nuggets on Friday night as the superstar continues to rest his bruised left shin.
How concerned should the Los Angeles Lakers and fans be at this point that the injury has forced him to miss this much time? Normally, Bryant plays through injuries, especially in critical points in the season. No point in the season is more important than the stretch run as the Lakers are one game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers entering Friday's contest. With a dangerous team like the Memphis Grizzlies likely awaiting the fourth seed in the playoffs, each game has real significance.
Kobe is a smart individual. He knows that his team is not very deep and that he must be at full strength come playoff time. Being at 100 percent is more important than positioning. He understands that he needs to be at his best to carry the team.
This season, more than ever, that has been the case. The Lakers bench has had major issues scoring the basketball, and the starters have had to log heavy minutes. Though the shin injury to Bryant occurred on a collision, it's problematic that it's lingered for this long.
But the length of time that he's missed has to be of some concern, especially because of Bryant's competitiveness and history of grinding through ailments. If the injury was only a minor bruise, then Kobe would play in even the most insignificant games, let alone those that are most meaningful at the end of the season.
Interestingly enough, the Lakers are 2-1 in Bryant's absence, and other players are building confidence as they find themselves with more available shots.
Metta World Peace has averaged just over 17 points per game in those three games, and Andrew Bynum made history against the San Antonio Spurs in a 30-rebound performance on the road. These positive factors should not get fans too excited, however. The Lakers are still going to need Kobe Bryant to win a series in the postseason.
With Sunday's status still in question, it would be a relief to see Bryant suit up for all Lakers faithful.
Michael C. Jones is a Yahoo! Featured Contributor in Sports and southern California native, following all developments related to the Los Angeles Lakers. Follow Michael on Twitter: @MikeJonesTweets.
Source:
ESPN Network
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