A Kobe Retirement Hurts The Lakers
Kobe Bryant tore his rotator cuff in New Orleans. He (and the Lakers) are still in the process of deciding what form of recovery he should pursue.
Take the long view: it was not the worst thing that could have happened to the Lakers. A rotator cuff injury has a beginning, a middle and an end. It’s an injury athletes and ordinary humans, not involved in athletics, recover from frequently enough for it to be considered “common”. The injury was, at its worst, a short term setback for an organization with long term goals of respectability.
But, here we are. The Lakers only marketable commodity is forced off the court, off of television, out of sight because you won’t see Kobe after the All-Star Game unless it’s on Instagram. It creates a vacuum no one can fill.
Even as there will be very few wins for the next few months and a lot of Nick Young highlights (or lowlights), a rotator cuff shoulder injury is manageable.
Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Lakers won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Had Kobe inadvertently planted his foot and his knee twisted south so he tore his ACL that would have been disastrous. Or, if Kobe ripped his other Achilles and limped off the court. Those injuries surely would have closed the Kobe Bryant chapter for good. The rehab would have been too grueling for a 36 year old to endure even if he had the guts to try it. As it is, rotator cuff surgery and rehab (if that is what is decided), is a six month complication meaning that sometime in July Kobe will be back on the court.
Organizationally, the Lakers are pretty much where they were supposed to be after putting together a group of one dimensional players and asking them to make something beautiful happen. Their boat is taking on water, so much so, the ship has almost capsized. But not totally, not quite. Kobe’s absence guarantees a top 5 pick in the draft, a draft that is filled with explosive big men, which is a huge need for the Lakers. The Lakers have the cap space for one max deal and will go on their search and recovery mission come summer. The Lakers have Julius Randle returning healthy.
So, the last thing the Lakers needed to happen is their leverage taken away and becoming the Philadelphia 76ers.
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That is what a Kobe Bryant retirement would look like. A bunch of young guys with names you don’t remember who don’t know how to play, or experienced guys like Wesley Johnson who can’t play. The truth is, veterans want to play with other veterans who have accomplished something, not the Nick Young’s of the world. If Kobe is gone for good, and believe me he will disappear from sight five minutes after he announces his retirement, all the top talent will suddenly bypass the Lakers and either, re-sign with their own team, or go to teams with other players they can trust. It would leave the Lakers desperate again with a dismal future ahead of them.
Kobe has arrived at the point in his career where retirement is the answer to almost any question. Only he will know when he just can’t do it anymore, when the physical and the mental intersect. A shoulder complication is not new to him, neither are injuries.
He came into the season with skeptics doubting his ability to perform. As is the norm for him, Kobe accomplished what he set out to do. He showed he can still be a player in the league, he still has quality moments left on the court if his minutes are monitored. He still is a dynamic star who is more beloved now then when he was 22.
Remember what Kobe was doing in November? Trying to pass Michael Jordan as soon as he could. Blame Byron Scott for the frenzy but blame Kobe too. Or, applaud them both for understanding reality.
Injuries happen. A season can abruptly end. 36 year old players are on the clock.
And so it is, this strange sort of tango dance between the Lakers and their greatest player since Magic Johnson. Cautiously, they wait for his surgery or rehab, and eventual return when all will be watching. The Lakers will apologize profusely for doing this to him but Kobe’s shoulder has been bothering him for a while, since the preseason. Come July, when the Lakers begin their free agent push, they’ll need Kobe Bryant much more than they need him now. That is when he’ll really be their Most Valuable Player.
Pau Gasol said it best last night when talking with Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report.
"“He loves the game. He’s such a huge competitor. And he’s very proud to represent the Lakers. It’s the only team he’s played for and he takes pride in that.”Next: Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Kobe Bryant Out For Season"