I never ever thought in a million years that I would be saddened by anything that happens to the Lakers organization. But, here we are in 2013, and several times this season I’ve found myself feeling some type of way about the men wearing purple and gold; Kobe particularly.
Let’s recap!
The Lakers reloaded during the offseason, adding Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to the roster and then opened the season with the worst losing streak the organization has seen.
As a result, Coach Mike Brown is fired and Coach Mike D’Antoni is hired. Nash gets hurt, Howard is Howard and then the drama began with talks of a beef between him and Kobe.
Playoff hopes begin to fade…Kobe does what he does and puts the squad back in the hunt, he gets banged up a bit but hey he’s immortal right?
WRONG!!!!
Friday as the Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors the ‘Black Mamba’ became mortal. I was sitting on my couch shouting for the Warriors to close it out when Kobe dribbled left, collapsed and began grabbing his leg, he later left the game. The Lakers won and minutes later the news broke.
Kobe Bryant suffered a season ending after tearing his Achilles tendon, he had surgery Saturday and team announced that he would be out six to nine months.
Kobe shared his feelings on Facebook:
“This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I’ve done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I’m supposed to come back from this and be the same player or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
“I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me.”
Bryant went on to call the injury the first step in a new challenge.
“One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day,” he wrote.
This sucks on so many levels! This is NOT the way it was supposed to end for Kobe. He’s the heart and soul of the Lakers organization but he’s only one person; he can’t do it all and I guess now we will see what the other men on the squad are made…it’s now time to sink or swim.
As for Kobe….we are all wishing him the best. Like him or not the man is a BEAST and deserves to leave the game that he loves so much in an honorable manner.
So is this the end?
I say NO! He hears the naysayers and sees the headlines and if we know anything about him it’s that he uses it all as fuel.
If anybody can come back from such an injury; the Mamba can and I for one will be waiting!
