Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Kobe Bryant lives in the now. Sure, he takes the occasional stroll down memory lane but Kobe’s tunnel vision is almost unrivaled in sports history. So it comes as no surprise that Bryant would even attempt to limp onto an NBA court with a nasty ankle injury.
Over the years we’ve seen Kobe tough it out through various ailments that would force lesser men into shutdown mode. Not Bryant who plays each game like it’s his last. Of course these days each game is one step closer to being Bryant’s finale so the sense of urgency has never been higher.
Despite the Lakers being championship outsiders by Vegas standards you won’t see Kobe calling it a season any time soon. Given all that the Lakers have had to go through in order to get into playoff contention you can’t seriously expect Kobe to call off the dogs now that he’s got a bad skate.
Problem is one has to wonder if Bryant is pushing himself too hard at the wrong time.
Without a doubt the Lake Show can make some make noise in the playoffs. But if that means getting bounced again in the second round at best then the natural question has got to be is it worth the trouble?
For Bryant it is well worth the efforts. So long as there is a chance to compete Kobe will be suited up. It’s both refreshing and troublesome. The Lakers need Kobe. No questioning that. What the Lakers don’t need is a limping superstar hanging on to selfish pride. But I fully realize asking Kobe to dial it down a notch is like asking the Pacific not to be so cold.