[David Stern a.k.a. da muthaf@cking leader of da kryptsParticipant]

All those ”analysts” and NBA fans right now are blaming D’Antoni for Kobe’s injury. They’re saying that Bryant was playing too many minutes this season, he had too much wear and tear for a 34 year old, D’Antoni should have rested him and so on. The fact is the Lakers were 42-37 before the game. Utah was 41-38 before last night. Kobe NEEDED to play these kind of minutes late in the season for them to make the playoffs. Had Kobe not played huge minutes throughout the season the Lakers wouldn’t even be above .500 right now. They won by 2 against the Warriors. They won by 7 against the Trail Blazers. They won by 8 against the Hornets. They won by 2 against the Grizzlies. All of this since last Friday. Does everybody think the Lakers would have won these games without huge minutes from Bryant? Or do they think making the playoffs isn’t important? Only a team which has secured a playoff spot can afford to rest their top players, not a team which is fighting for the 8th seed. This is a huge blow for the team and for the whole basketball world to see one of the greatest players ever to go down like that, but to blame anybody in this situation is childish. This could have happened to anyone. D’Antoni had no choice, the Lakers are just not a good basketball team when Kobe is not on the floor and this was a close game which could have gone either way. Last year when Rose tore his ACL everyone bashed Thibodeau. And rightfully so, because they were up by double figures with 1:30 left in the game. There was no need for Rose to be on the floor. But last night Kobe had to be there.

[220Participant]

Tom Thibodeau didn’t deserve blame for Derrick Rose’s injury. The way Rose got hurt just from jumping meant at that point there was nothing anyone could do to prevent the injury. It’s not like Rose was playing at the end of a meaningless game and someone fell on his leg tearing his ACL, then the coach could take some blame.

[David Stern a.k.a. da muthaf@cking leader of da kryptsParticipant]

It’s true that at that point no one could have done anything but it wouldn’t have happened if Thibbs would have taken him out of the game BEFORE that. There’s always a risk something bad could happen.

[David Stern a.k.a. da muthaf@cking leader of da kryptsParticipant]

By the way this is what Kobe posted on facebook a few hours ago. He’s definitely frustrated but not ready to hang them up.

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…Then again maybe not! It’s 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I’m wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what’s the purpose of social media if I won’t bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.
One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
“If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear”. Ive always loved that quote. Thats “mamba mentality” we don’t quit, we don’t cower, we don’t run. We endure and conquer.
I know it’s a long post but I’m Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.
Mamba Out

[XYRYXParticipant]

Wow! Think what you want about this man but you never question the will of Kobe Bryant!

How many people in the world would respond like this? What a warrior!!!

Get well mamba, this just can’t be the end – you nailed it!

[sheltwon3Participant]

The coach is to blame. There were two warning before Kobe went down. Those smaller injuries earlier were tell tale signs that he was breaking down physically. Sometimes you have to lose some battles to win the war and now the war is over and Lakers may have lost.

This is similar to the same thing that happen to RGIII. I don’t blame Chicago’s coach but I do plan the front office for not giving Rose enough help that he can to carry the team and got worn out because of it.

Athletes are wired to push themselves to the brink but it is up the coach and other personnell to tell them no even if they get mad. Strategy allows for you to see the big picture.

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

im not blaming the coach… how was he supposed to know kobe was gnna get hurt? its a move kobe has done a thousand times….if kobe wasnt getting these minutes the lakers arent even in the playoff picture

[Cavaliers420Participant]

You think Phil would have took Jordan out if his team was in trouble of making the playoffs? Some players make their own decisions. Kobe is one of them.

[XYRYXParticipant]

Exactly!

Kobe took the team in his back the whole all season long and it didn’t work out. I’m sure Kobe is not blaming D’Antoni for this one cause you just can’t pull out Kobe with 2 games left in the season.

Btw I don’t think it makes a difference i you play him 48 or 42 mins. His body broke down because this team sucks, that’s something you can blame D’Antoni for. They had plenty of injuries all season long but honestly but the Lakers should amnesty their coach which is unlikely too cause they owe him like 15 mil or something.

I’m too excited about this offseason!

[Forte IVParticipant]

When a 34 old person constantly plays 48 minutes night after night an injury like this is expected. I’m not even a Lakers fan, but I’m blaming D’Antoni for not having enough trust for his other players for at least 8 minutes of a game.

[Ghost01Participant]

How can you even argue that DavidStern…Kobe was playing 45+ minutes a night, no he doesn’t NEED to play that much. Sure, maybe he needs to play 40 minutes a game for the Lakers to be able to win, but saying they can’t go a 2 minute stretch here or there without him, just for him to rest up a bit, and get back out there as soon as he’s ready is just insane.

Rose tore his ACL on a freak play that could have happened in any game. Kobe has been banged up, and got hurt like 3 seperate occasions in this game, BECAUSE HES A 34 YEAR OLD PLAYING RIDICULOUS MINUTES.

[David Stern a.k.a. da muthaf@cking leader of da kryptsParticipant]

“Rose tore his ACL on a freak play that could have happened in any game.”

Wait, so you’re saying Kobe’s injury couldn’t? He said it himself that it was a move he made a million times and it just happened. Like I said there’s always a risk of getting injured and most times it’s just a matter of bad luck. Look at Kevin Ware’s injury. For your bone to snap like that you have to land at a precise angle. Rose’s injury was just another plant that happened to be at the right angle and had the right amount of force for the knee to give out. The same goes for Kobe’s injury. These things are extremely unlikely and yet they happen. So every time a player is on the floor there’s a small risk. You just have to ask the question ”Is there a need for that player to be on the floor right now for your team to win?” When Rose got injured they were up by 12 with 1:30 left in the 4th. When Kobe got injured it was a tight game down the strech. If Kobe was on the bench with 3 minutes left in that game everyone would have bashed D’Antoni for sitting his best player when the game was down the line.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

Play Kobe 40+ minutes and make the playoffs, Laker fans hate you.

Play Kobe 33 minutes and miss the playoffs, Laker fans hate you.

Play Kobe 33 minutes and make the playoffs, wouldn’t have been possible.

It’s a lose-lose-lose situation for D’Antoni.

[Author]

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