On April 13, Kobe Bryant fell to the floor; knowing immediately what had happened. He knew he was hurt but didn't want to believe it as he tried to get up and put pressure on his left foot. Kobe had played every minute of the Friday night game before he suffered what is believed to be a torn Achilles tendon.
“I knew,” as Bryant shook his head saying, “For sure.”
Bryant had heard the horror stories from others who have been through the injury. It is said to be one of the easier injuries for players and trainers to diagnose on the spot.
“I was just hoping it wasn't what I knew it was,” Bryant said. “I tried to walk it off hoping that the sensation would come back but no such luck.”
How it happened:
Bryant was trying to get around Harrison Barnes with 3:08 left in the game against the Golden State Warriors; when he crumbled to the ground. The Los Angeles Lakers were trailing 109-107.
Free Throws:
Amazingly, Bryant limped back onto the court and drilled two free throws to tie the score before leaving the court once again. Directly after he was escorted back to the locker room by Lakers center Robert Sacre and team trainer Gary Vitti.
Big Game:
This game was a huge game for the Lakers in order to attain a spot in the playoffs. The Lakers had just defeated the Warriors 118-116; which maintained a one-game lead over the Utah Jazz for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
After Game Events:
The game winning Lakers were supposed to be celebrating about clinching a playoff spot, but if anything, it looked as if the Lakers had just been eliminated and were staring into the harsh reality of a long, uncertain off-season. Players dressed quietly in front of their lockers, while reporters asked questions. Players were answering with soft whispers as if they were speaking at a funeral.
Bryant is often viewed as an indestructible robot who can defy age and injuries. But Bryant’s NBA mortality and vulnerability were on full display as he exited the training room. Bryant had pushed himself to the absolute limit to get the Lakers to the playoffs, by pushing himself to play every minute and scoring 40+ points on back-to-back games.
Kobe’s Words:
“I knew,” as Bryant shook his head saying, “For sure.”
Bryant had heard the horror stories from others who have been through the injury. It is said to be one of the easier injuries for players and trainers to diagnose on the spot.
“I was just hoping it wasn't what I knew it was,” Bryant said. “I tried to walk it off hoping that the sensation would come back but no such luck.”
How it happened:
Bryant was trying to get around Harrison Barnes with 3:08 left in the game against the Golden State Warriors; when he crumbled to the ground. The Los Angeles Lakers were trailing 109-107.
Free Throws:
Amazingly, Bryant limped back onto the court and drilled two free throws to tie the score before leaving the court once again. Directly after he was escorted back to the locker room by Lakers center Robert Sacre and team trainer Gary Vitti.
Big Game:
This game was a huge game for the Lakers in order to attain a spot in the playoffs. The Lakers had just defeated the Warriors 118-116; which maintained a one-game lead over the Utah Jazz for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
After Game Events:
The game winning Lakers were supposed to be celebrating about clinching a playoff spot, but if anything, it looked as if the Lakers had just been eliminated and were staring into the harsh reality of a long, uncertain off-season. Players dressed quietly in front of their lockers, while reporters asked questions. Players were answering with soft whispers as if they were speaking at a funeral.
Bryant is often viewed as an indestructible robot who can defy age and injuries. But Bryant’s NBA mortality and vulnerability were on full display as he exited the training room. Bryant had pushed himself to the absolute limit to get the Lakers to the playoffs, by pushing himself to play every minute and scoring 40+ points on back-to-back games.
Kobe’s Words:
I was really tired. I was just tired in the locker room. Upset and dejected and thinking about this mountain I have to overcome. This is a long process. I wasn't sure I could do it. But then the kids walked in here, and I had to set an example. ‘Daddy’s going to be fine. I’m going to do it.’ I’m going to work hard and go from there.
It's fueling me. I can feel it already. Players at this stage of their careers and then they pop their Achilles and they say they're never going to come back the same. I can hear it already. It's pissing me off right now.
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