HE'S GOT plantar fasciitis!!!!! NOT TO BE SLACK TO HIM BUT..... YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~29583~2537500,00.html
Foot injury bothers Bryant
By Rich Hammond, Staff Writer
EL SEGUNDO -- Persistent pain in his left foot forced Kobe Bryant to be a spectator at practice Monday. Even worse for the Lakers, coach Rudy Tomjanovich didn't dismiss the idea that the ailment would force Bryant's minutes to be restricted during upcoming games.
"I don't know," Tomjanovich said. "We'll see how he feels in a couple days."
Tomjanovich had hoped Monday and today would provide the Lakers a chance to become more cohesive, since their practice time has been limited by a hectic schedule this month. But it's hard to imagine how much the Lakers can accomplish in practice with their leader watching, not playing.
Bryant, diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot, averaged 39.5 minutes during last week's four-game trip. But he made just 37.5 percent of his shots from the field to fuel discussion as to whether he might need time off to rest.
Tomjanovich said he has talked extensively with Bryant and trainer Gary Vitti -- "and God," Tomjanovich jokingly interjected -- and said he would rely on their input to make decisions about Bryant's situation.
"I did take an anatomy class at the University of Michigan and I did well, but I'm not a doctor," Tomjanovich said. "I try not to think negatively about it. I ask Gary to give me a synopsis, and I asked him if I should be staying up worrying about this and he said no. So that's as far as I'm taking it."
Bryant did not speak to reporters Monday, but teammates expressed little concern. The Lakers play the Clippers on Wednesday, then play at Phoenix on Friday and play host to Chicago on Sunday.
"He's a true champion and a hell of a warrior," Lamar Odom said. "If he can compete, he'll be out there, and if he can't then we'll just have to pick up the slack. ... Even when he's hurt, I can't tell the difference, because he's so aggressive and so good at what he does."
Comeback trail: Vlade Divac, who has yet to play because of a herniated disc in his back, completed his first full-team practice Monday and reported no problems. Tomjanovich said he expects Divac to return next week, which would make the Nov. 23 game against Milwaukee a probable target date.
"That was a long time to be out, but I feel pretty good," the 36-year-old Divac said. "I'm already a step slower than everybody else, so I definitely need some time to get (conditioning) back."
Slava Medvedenko (bruised heel) also participated in the full practice and suffered no setbacks.
Moving on: Tomjanovich said he enjoyed his homecoming when the Lakers played at Houston on Saturday, but admitted the trip wore on him mentally because of the attention. The Lakers play once more at Houston, on Feb. 6, but that should be a lower-key affair for Tomjanovich.
"It was a tough situation for me, concentration-wise," Tomjanovich said. "I did get to see my son, which was great, and I did get to see my dogs, whom I really missed too, and it was a nice ceremony. "I don't have any animosity, and all I have is gratitude toward the Houston organization, so it really wasn't like, 'Boy, I really want to get these guys.' I just really wanted to get a win for this team."
http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~29583~2537500,00.html
Foot injury bothers Bryant
By Rich Hammond, Staff Writer
EL SEGUNDO -- Persistent pain in his left foot forced Kobe Bryant to be a spectator at practice Monday. Even worse for the Lakers, coach Rudy Tomjanovich didn't dismiss the idea that the ailment would force Bryant's minutes to be restricted during upcoming games.
"I don't know," Tomjanovich said. "We'll see how he feels in a couple days."
Tomjanovich had hoped Monday and today would provide the Lakers a chance to become more cohesive, since their practice time has been limited by a hectic schedule this month. But it's hard to imagine how much the Lakers can accomplish in practice with their leader watching, not playing.
Bryant, diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, a painful inflammation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot, averaged 39.5 minutes during last week's four-game trip. But he made just 37.5 percent of his shots from the field to fuel discussion as to whether he might need time off to rest.
Tomjanovich said he has talked extensively with Bryant and trainer Gary Vitti -- "and God," Tomjanovich jokingly interjected -- and said he would rely on their input to make decisions about Bryant's situation.
"I did take an anatomy class at the University of Michigan and I did well, but I'm not a doctor," Tomjanovich said. "I try not to think negatively about it. I ask Gary to give me a synopsis, and I asked him if I should be staying up worrying about this and he said no. So that's as far as I'm taking it."
Bryant did not speak to reporters Monday, but teammates expressed little concern. The Lakers play the Clippers on Wednesday, then play at Phoenix on Friday and play host to Chicago on Sunday.
"He's a true champion and a hell of a warrior," Lamar Odom said. "If he can compete, he'll be out there, and if he can't then we'll just have to pick up the slack. ... Even when he's hurt, I can't tell the difference, because he's so aggressive and so good at what he does."
Comeback trail: Vlade Divac, who has yet to play because of a herniated disc in his back, completed his first full-team practice Monday and reported no problems. Tomjanovich said he expects Divac to return next week, which would make the Nov. 23 game against Milwaukee a probable target date.
"That was a long time to be out, but I feel pretty good," the 36-year-old Divac said. "I'm already a step slower than everybody else, so I definitely need some time to get (conditioning) back."
Slava Medvedenko (bruised heel) also participated in the full practice and suffered no setbacks.
Moving on: Tomjanovich said he enjoyed his homecoming when the Lakers played at Houston on Saturday, but admitted the trip wore on him mentally because of the attention. The Lakers play once more at Houston, on Feb. 6, but that should be a lower-key affair for Tomjanovich.
"It was a tough situation for me, concentration-wise," Tomjanovich said. "I did get to see my son, which was great, and I did get to see my dogs, whom I really missed too, and it was a nice ceremony. "I don't have any animosity, and all I have is gratitude toward the Houston organization, so it really wasn't like, 'Boy, I really want to get these guys.' I just really wanted to get a win for this team."
