Lakers believe Kobe Bryant suffered a torn left Achilles

[heyvik]

Does anyone know typical recovery time for this injury? Will he be back by the start of next season?

[PhoSita]

About the worst thing that could happen to a terrible person.  But Kobe fought so hard all season long to keep the Lakers above water and it finally caught up with him.  You just can't be carrying a team playing 40+ minutes all the time at his age and with the amount of mileage on his legs.  It wasn't sustainable.

I respect Kobe a lot for what he tried to do this season, but I can't say that this result is all that surprising.  Hopefully he recovers, but I think this is probably more or less the end of his career as one of the main stars of the league.

[PhoSita]

At least this pretty much nullifies the league's attempt to send the Lakers to the playoffs by spotting them a massive free throw advantage every night.

[GreenFaith1819]

Wow..tough loss.

As much as I despise Lakers, I wouldn't wish this type of injury on anyone.

As Phosita stated - Kobe Bryant will probably not recover from this to the point of returning to his elite play.

Which leaves Dwight.....will he stay NOW - with the current future prospects status?

Is a diminished, older Kobe enough to keep Dwight in LA?

Get well, Kobe.

[makaveli]

I hope he gets back, and plays another season or two on the top level 

[Eddie20]

And given his contract he suddenly becomes a potential amnesty player. 30m is a real tough pill to swallow. Actually, they would save a lot more than that when you consider the luxury tax penalties.


Hate him, but with respect.

[lightspeed5]

I respect kobe and feel bad about this. Sucks to see an all time great go down like this.

[ACF]

At least this pretty much nullifies the league's attempt to send the Lakers to the playoffs by spotting them a massive free throw advantage every night.

Oh, so you think a 50 to 16 FT advantage is big?  Points in the paint were tied at 34 so it does make you wonder...

Like others have said, Kobe is a true warrior, you don't have to like him to recognize that.

[greg_kite]

I see he made his two free throws after the injury and walked himself off the court.  Every other achilles injury I've seen the guy looked like he'd been shot in the leg.

I hate Kobe as much as anyone, but it's definitely a sad day fo the NBA.  Like any movie, it's not good unless you have a great villain to root against, and Kobe may be the best villain to ever root against.  Because he broke our hearts so many times it was that much moe satisfying to beat him.

If there is one thing he has over Jordan it's his desire to play the game.  Kobe would never have taken 2 years off, he just loved basketball too much.

Sad to see the end of an era.  Not just Kobe but all the dinosaurs are winding down.  It's just a matter of time before Kobe, Pierce, KG, Dirk and Duncan are all in street clothes. Let's enjoy them as much as we can while they're around.

[celticmaestro]

Good.

Don't hate me.

#iamaceltic

[Who]

Career threatening injury for a player of Kobe's age.

[GreenFaith1819]

Knowing Kobe, though - he WILL come back.

He will more than likely be an All-Star, too....elite? Well, perhaps not THAT, but I still think he will achieve All-Star status.

When I say "Elite"...I don't think he will be among the top 3, anymore.

But this is Kobe Bryant, after all....

[Fafnir]

Career threatening injury for a player of Kobe's age.

Yeah, achilles tears are already one of the most serious injuries for an athlete at any age.

He's going to miss the next season too almost, takes a full year typically.

[SHAQATTACK]

DIdn't this end Shaq's career.      that Boston Team was a steam roller, Shaq and Rondo.


Not a Kobe hater, sorry it happened to him personally .

Lakers team , has had nearly all the breaks until this year.   Getting every player they want and throwing away , cheating other teams with broken players . 

The Lakers are due some bad luck, they had a 12 year run of having things their way with help of the NBA.

If Kobe truely has a torn Achilles , then he is done at his age, might as well retire .

With no Kobe ,   will Howard run hard as he can off the team to NETS , MAVs, ROckets at full speed this summer.

Kobe is good for NBA , just hate him on the Lakers.

No tears for Lakers.

[dark_lord]

Good.

Don't hate me.

#iamaceltic

thats why i love maestro!  tp