Such a brave little soldier...

[VF21]

This is from this morning's Bee, although I cannot find it on the Bee online sports page, probably because it says it was taken from the Los Angeles Daily News:

Bryant says his foot is doing fine
Los Angeles Daily News

The first time the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Memphis Grizzlies this season, on Nov. 10 at FedEx Forum, Kobe Bryant needed 45 minutes of treatment following the game and revealed he was suffering from tissue inflammation in his left foot.

With the Lakers set to face the Grizzlies tonight at Staples Center, Bryant offered a positive outlook Sunday afternoon about the condition of his foot, which has been monitored by trainers and asked about by reporters for 40 days.

"It's much better," Bryant said. "It's a lot, lot better. I haven't had to do as much treatment. I can come out here and practice, and my foot will just loosen up. Right now, it feels fine."

Although he sat out five of six practices at the end of November to rest, Bryant did not miss any games. He has not layer fewer than 41 minutes in any game since disclosing the injury.

He said Sunday the foot is about 85 percent and usually loosens up by the second quarter of games. He has experienced little soreness in the second half recently.

"Maybe this is as good as it gets," Bryant said. "If it is, I'm fine with it."

The trademark exploseiveness also has returned to his game in recent days. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter against the Kings on Thursday, Bryant put the ball between his legs once, then twice, only to pull up and hit a three-pointer over Doug Christie as part of a four-point play.

.............................................................

My spleen is in real and eminent danger of being hacked up. But what can I say? We should all applaud Kobe Bryant for playing through despite the pain and agony. Afrer all, NO ONE else suffers from tissue inflammation such as his and plays through the pain. How could they? Kobe Bryant is such a brave little soldier...

/sarcasm

 

[vladetomiller]

And we complain about the number of kobe threads

I dont think its that big a deal either way, either you are hurt and cant play or you are hurt and you can play thorugh it, its the media that makes a big deal out of it. No one cares when i have back pain and still go to work and sit 10 long hours and work and they dont publish in the media

At the same time i dont understand the hypocrites who used to call AI the warrior and that he had heart for playing through pain and now remark about bryant.

 

[JayBird]

At the same time i dont understand the hypocrites who used to call AI the warrior and that he had heart for playing through pain and now remark about bryant.

Did AI ever get on a postgame interview and spew crap like "oh well, my toe hurt, i had an upset stomach, a headache, a toothache, a bum knee, but I played through it and still got a triple double"?

Not saying Kobe said that, but it seems like every postgame show I watch, and i watch the Southern California Sports Report after every laker game i watch, he is complaining about some sort of injury or pain, even on nights that he busted out a triple double.

AI was hurt just as bad, if not worse, but kept his little mouth shut and led his team. It all comes back to the maturity level. Guys like Lebron and even AI are mature in that sense (the whole "practice" scenario aside), but Kobe has the maturity of someone who came into the league way too early, was forced to grow up too fast, and... well... didn't.

 

[Gargamel]

And we complain about the number of kobe threads

I knew it was going to be about Kobe when I saw the header.

 

[sloter]

I knew it was going to be about Kobe when I saw the header.

How did you guess ?

 

[AleksandarN]

What I do not understand is why do people always critize Kobe. It does not matter what he does he is selfish when he scores too much or even when he gets a triple double people say he is a stat stuffer or when he plays through injury( which is btw he had almost through the whole season) same injury Doug has and Pedja had last season he just looking for excuses. Enough already no wounder why he keeps to himself. I would be the same way. Not even Jordan or any player in NBA history has been under the scope of media then Kobe on the court and off. Think how you would feel under the same situation as Kobe has gone through his whole career.

 

[vladetomiller]

Did AI ever get on a postgame interview and spew crap like "oh well, my toe hurt, i had an upset stomach, a headache, a toothache, a bum knee, but I played through it and still got a triple double"?

Not saying Kobe said that, but it seems like every postgame show I watch, and i watch the Southern California Sports Report after every laker game i watch, he is complaining about some sort of injury or pain, even on nights that he busted out a triple double.

AI was hurt just as bad, if not worse, but kept his little mouth shut and led his team. It all comes back to the maturity level. Guys like Lebron and even AI are mature in that sense (the whole "practice" scenario aside), but Kobe has the maturity of someone who came into the league way too early, was forced to grow up too fast, and... well... didn't.

Its about perception, you watch and recognize only what you want to see and remember. I can remember from the 2001 finals when they would show that little picture which would show all the places that AI was hurting and how he was a warrior with so much heart who would play through that. He also did answer to questions saying that he has the heart and that he will play through pain and deliver. Its not his fault either, but its just that the reporters ask questions and get answers. Same thing with kobe here imo, he is hurting and the reporters are asking about things and he answers. I dont think he comes out in an interview starting with what you have said.

AI did not keep his mouth shut on those issues, please try to find some interviews from 2001 to understand that. He might be still hurting and its not news on espn cos he is not that big a deal anymore, you have bron/melo etc taking the spotlight along with kobe and its not AI anymore. Did you watch melo getting hurt against the heat, they showed it atleast 30 times that night and there were interviews too. Does it mean that melo wants to get that warrior status, no. He is just answering questions and super stars tend to get more questions.

Last season when webber was close to returning you could see reports everyday about how he is doing his rehab and about how much it hurt for him, his interviews were the same about how he wanted to play through pain to help the team. Whereas no one cared about when a filler was going to return on any team, that will just appear as a one liner in the team news section. It happens with any super star, but when you wear a different colored glass things could look different

 

[VF21]

Kobe TALKS about his ailments more than any player I can remember. And how convenient was it that he announced his plantar fasciitis right after his abysmal performance against the Wizards.

You don't have to agree with my assessment, but I think it has to always be about Kobe and I think he wants everyone to appreciate that he's a brave little soldier fighting against the big mean enemy AND physical ailments that would demolish lesser mortals.

As usual, some have to turn it to Webber. That's fine. Compare the two. Chris Webber has come back remarkably well from what has been a career ending injury for a lot of players. Kobe is making it high drama that he suffers from plantar fasciitis. So does Doug. Have you heard him complain? Have you heard him use it as an excuse for less than stellar performance? Nope.

It's drama - I love it. Of course, I'm also addicted to Days of Our Lives, Passions and The Young and the Restless. Quite frankly, I think those three shows have better writers than the All Kobe All the Time oater coming out of LA these days.

 

[HndsmCelt]

When a player is as whimpy as Kobe he HAS to point out how tough he is or no one else ever would.

 

[AleksandarN]

When a player is as whimpy as Kobe he HAS to point out how tough he is or no one else ever would.

how is that he plays through more injuries than any players in our beloved Kings

 

[Gargamel]

how is that he plays through more injuries than any players in our beloved Kings

Concede this battle. VF and Celt's views on this subject are firmly internalized.

 

[AleksandarN]

Kobe TALKS about his ailments more than any player I can remember. And how convenient was it that he announced his plantar fasciitis right after his abysmal performance against the Wizards.

You don't have to agree with my assessment, but I think it has to always be about Kobe and I think he wants everyone to appreciate that he's a brave little soldier fighting against the big mean enemy AND physical ailments that would demolish lesser mortals.

Actually his injury was mention at the begining of the season. Also how is it his fault about mentioning the injury when he was asked by the reporter. It would be different if he mentioned his injury in a question that was irrevelant to the answer at hand. This is another example of how much he gets critized for nothing he really had no control of. I bet if he did not answer the reporter asked then people would still read into it.

 

[Gargamel]

Kobe TALKS about his ailments more than any player I can remember. And how convenient was it that he announced his plantar fasciitis right after his abysmal performance against the Wizards.

I hate those abysmal 36 pt, 10 reb, 14 ast performances out of Kobe.

 

[AleksandarN]

Concede this battle. VF and Celt's views on this subject are firmly internalized.

I am trying to make them see the light.

 

[VF21]

I hate those abysmal 36 pt, 10 reb, 14 ast performances out of Kobe.

Uh-oh. I'm sorry. I didn't have my "Everything in the World You Need to Know About Kobe" manuals handy. (Volumes 8 thru 12 are currently being used to keep my firewood from touching the ground and I don't remember where the rest of them are...) I thought it was the Wizards where he had a truly awful night, but I guess I was wrong. My bad...

As far as getting me to see the light about Kobe, AleksanderN, up until last year I was very complimentary about him, his talent, etc. He destroyed all of that in my mind, just as Webber made one too many mistakes in other NBA fan eyes. It's my opinion and my firm belief and it's not going to change - not without some drastic act of redemption on Kobe's part.

I could speak volumes about why I lost respect for him on AND off the court, but to do so would violate some of the rules of the board I'm here to enforce. So, suffice it to say you won't get me to see the light.

 

[VF21]

CORRECTION:

In post #8 above, the mention of the Wizards was erroneous. The sentence in question SHOULD have said, "And how convenient was it that he announced his plantar fasciitis right after his abysmal performance against the Grizzlies."

VF21 regrets the error.

 

[Gargamel]

Uh-oh. I'm sorry. I didn't have my "Everything in the World You Need to Know About Kobe" manuals handy.

That's why I'm here. Ray Allen has a big mouth, btw.

 

[HndsmCelt]

how is that he plays through more injuries than any players in our beloved Kings

If Doug Christie had a press confrence every time he had an ingrown nail like Kobe does he would look as rough and tough as Kobe. Of course if you actualydo eat up the Kobe slop you must think the poor foll is made of glass, what is this his 8h injury for the season?

 

[HndsmCelt]

I hate those abysmal 36 pt, 10 reb, 14 ast performances out of Kobe.

If I were a Laker fan I would too beceause 3 out or 4 times it means my team lost. Of course if I had some sick Kobe obsession I would get real excited about it. As a die hard Laker hater I just laugh and hope he gets alot more of them!

 

[AleksandarN]

As far as getting me to see the light about Kobe, AleksanderN, up until last year I was very complimentary about him, his talent, etc. He destroyed all of that in my mind, just as Webber made one too many mistakes in other NBA fan eyes. It's my opinion and my firm belief and it's not going to change - not without some drastic act of redemption on Kobe's part.

I could speak volumes about why I lost respect for him on AND off the court, but to do so would violate some of the rules of the board I'm here to enforce. So, suffice it to say you won't get me to see the light.

All am saying if you do not like the player fine that is your right. I just hate it when he gets critized for nothing. It is like people are always looking for things to complain about when it comes to Kobe on and off the court and that's even before last year. This year it even worst, yes he made a mistake last year cheating on wife( I am not going to get into wheather he is guitly or not; of which I do not think no one knows but Kobe and the lady) but should not take away form what skills he has as player or how he plays wheather or not through injury. He is best player in the game because he plays both ends of the court like no other SG or not.

 

[VF21]

We will respectfully agree to disagree about whether or not I'm critizing him "for nothing." I never said he was not an excellent player, arguably ONE of the best in the game today.

...

And with 5:15 left in the third quarter, the Grizzlies are actually leading the Lakers 58-57.

 

[Evenstar]

oh no oh no, kobe broke a nail CALL 911!!!!!!!

i'm with you VF21, i'm sick to death of all this " i'm injured" crap to get sympathy from everyone.

shut up kobe!!!!!

 

[AleksandarN]

oh no oh no, kobe broke a nail CALL 911!!!!!!!

i'm with you VF21, i'm sick to death of all this " i'm injured" crap to get sympathy from everyone.

shut up kobe!!!!!

Yes shut up Kobe!! Don't answer questions by reporters because they will get twisted by all the Kobe haters in the world

 

[eflat]

It's a no-win situation -- imagine all the coverage of why he wasn't talking...

 

[VF21]

Yes shut up Kobe!! Don't answer questions by reporters because they will get twisted by all the Kobe haters in the world

What? Reporters ask questions and the answers sometimes get twisted?

I'm stunned...and so happy it's never happened to any of our players.

 

[AleksandarN]

What? Reporters ask questions and the answers sometimes get twisted?

I'm stunned...and so happy it's never happened to any of our players.

Never happens to our players especially not not "master of lies Webber, the King of Kings"<joking>
I just wish Webber would not answer questions when he is emotional (especially after Playoffs loses)that way people would not twists things he says. That been said. Kobe gets it 100x more than Webber.

 

[AceKingSuited]

Yes shut up Kobe!! Don't answer questions by reporters because they will get twisted by all the Kobe haters in the world

Just because a reporter asks you about an injury doesn't mean you have to point to it, or even answer the question. Fact of the matter is, Kobe is a drama queen with an enormous ego. An amazing talent, but a drama queen.

Back in Utah, reporters would ask Karl Malone about injuries, and he would deny them, or downplay them. That's the standard response you get from an old school vet. They would either deny them, or downplay their relevance to the overall picture. Kobe seems to use them as either excuses, or reasons to glorify his accomplishments.

 

[AleksandarN]

Just because a reporter asks you about an injury doesn't mean you have to point to it, or even answer the question. Fact of the matter is, Kobe is a drama queen with an enormous ego. An amazing talent, but a drama queen.

Back in Utah, reporters would ask Karl Malone about injuries, and he would deny them, or downplay them. That's the standard response you get from an old school vet. They would either deny them, or downplay their relevance to the overall picture. Kobe seems to use them as either excuses, or reasons to glorify his accomplishments.

That is simply not true in this case because the reporter asked how his injury is coming along not if had an injury or not. But people will always look into what ever he says to find a way to nitpick. That is another example of stuff I said earlier in this topic.

 

[VF21]

Not true? Kobe is NOT a drama queen?

OMG - You have had entirely too much caffeine.

Don't you remember the ongoing saga of the shoulder that was hanging from the bone by a mere tendon? First, it was reported he might miss months. Then, miracle of miracles, the brave little soldier returned complete with a harness that looked as though it had been stolen from an old plow horse. The brave little soldier played on gamely... and guess what? Miracle of miracles again! He was able to take off the harness waaaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of schedule for the originally announced injury. He was just THAT brave! And he was very eager to answer questions from the media about it, especially his "special friend" reporters in LA. (the ones who will toss him the "meatball" questions).

Kobe Bryant has to be in the spotlight. He has to overcome all odds, even if there's nothing to overcome. He is, in fact, his own worst enemy. I've said it before - he is one of the most talented individuals in the game today but for some reason, it just isn't enough. Right now I firmly believe he's trying desperately to get the spotlight back onto him and off Malone, O'Neal, Jackson, etc. How can he do this? By being the brave little soldier and fighting on, even though a mere mortal would have crumbled to the floor long ago in agony.

 

[KA_2]

Meh, most of you are pretty much exaggerating (not that I wouldn’t expect you to, you’re Kings fans). I can easily remember many, many articles about Chris Webber's ailing knee, him talking about, being asked about it, etc. What's the difference? Yeah, that’s right, there really is no difference.