OT: Kobe out 6 weeks with broken tibia.

[Folster]

Things aren't looking good in LA.

Kobe Bryant Out Six Weeks With Fractured Tibia In Left Knee

Dec 19, 2013 3:48 PM EST

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Kobe Bryant has suffered a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee, the Los Angeles Lakers announced on Thursday.
Bryant is expected to miss six weeks.
Bryant returned from a torn Achillies tendon earlier this month.


Via RealGM Staff Report

They just signed him to a 2 year extension. Their only hope now is to get lucky in the lottery this year in hopes they land another franchise talent. But D'Antoni will find away to get his young, scrappy team to overachieve. Due to Kobe's extension, they only have room to sign one max player this offseason and any hopes of LeBron are laughable considering their current state. I don't even think Melo would be foolish enough to sign with the Lakers.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out considering we own their 2015 pick, top 5 protected. Thank you Steve Nash!

 

[sunsfan88]

Lakers are so stupid for giving him that extension before even seeing him play for like 2-3 weeks after coming back.

 

[elindholm]

Their only hope now is to get lucky in the lottery this year in hopes they land another franchise talent.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out considering we own their 2015 pick, top 5 protected.

I think you just answered your own question. They'll get their new star in this summer's lottery, and win 55 games in 2014-15.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Lakers are going to bring in Kendall Marshall because of injuries. It might be interesting to watch.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/231160/Lakers-Agree-To-Sign-Kendall-Marshall

 

[95pro]

Kmarsh might have a nice long pass or bounce pass with this team but maybe too slow on the break.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I think you just answered your own question. They'll get their new star in this summer's lottery, and win 55 games in 2014-15.

even with the young talent available, there's no player in this lottery that's going to turn that team around within one year like that...especially with Jalobe Bryant choking their payroll moving forward.

 

[elindholm]

even with the young talent available, there's no player in this lottery that's going to turn that team around within one year like that.

Remember, they get Bryant back next year too.

 

[Folster]

Remember, they get Bryant back next year too.

Bryant seems to be on his last legs. However, he'll never lose the alpha dog persona and that attitude coupled with skills that don't measure up are a recipe for a lot of losses.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Remember, they get Bryant back next year too.

I am remembering that...and I'm also remembering he's 35, his body is completely breaking down on him and his contract is a cap killer.

that team ain't winning 55 games for a looooooooooooooong time. that's not to say they'll be terrible next year. they won't. they'll be the last two years of the Nash Suns. painfully mediocre and stuck in NBA limbo for a decade.

 

[elindholm]

Bryant seems to be on his last legs.

I don't see it that way. Anyone can tear an Achilles. The knee injury is suspicious, and maybe he came back too soon, or maybe it's a fluke. But if he can get healthy again, I still see him as a top-ten player. His numbers last season were all on par with his career averages -- very slightly better on balance, in fact.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/110/kobe-bryant

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don't see it that way. Anyone can tear an Achilles.

yup...but seemingly NO ONE in the NBA has been able to come close to being the player they were after they tore it...much less a guy at Kobe's age.

The knee injury is suspicious, and maybe he came back too soon, or maybe it's a fluke. But if he can get healthy again, I still see him as a top-ten player. His numbers last season were all on par with his career averages -- very slightly better on balance, in fact.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/110/kobe-bryant

I think years and years and years of everything going the Lakers way has colored your thinking here...and I don't blame you. But dude's done. He's been superhuman up until now, but I think father time is finally catching up to him.

also, bodies start breaking down when you start taking performance enhancers as you get older...wouldn't surprise me if Kobe was doing stuff like in Germany when he magically had one of his best seasons ever last year after starting to wear down the previous season. (this is COMPLETE supposition on my part, but it wouldn't surprise me...nothing any of these athletes do to stay number one does anymore)

 

[SirStefan32]

I don't see it that way. Anyone can tear an Achilles. The knee injury is suspicious, and maybe he came back too soon, or maybe it's a fluke. But if he can get healthy again, I still see him as a top-ten player. His numbers last season were all on par with his career averages -- very slightly better on balance, in fact.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/110/kobe-bryant

I will never underestimate Kobe, but he is a 35 year old with a lot of miles on that body. I just don't see how his body can possibly not break down. I think Cheese is right- they'll be the last two years of the Nash Suns, though I don't think they will be mediocre for a decade. Nash is off the payroll after next year, and Bryant is off the following year. Lakers just sign all the best Free Agents. They won't be mediocre for long.

 

[elindholm]

yup...but seemingly NO ONE in the NBA has been able to come close to being the player they were after they tore it...much less a guy at Kobe's age.

Dominique Wilkins was 32 when he tore his (January 1992) and averaged 30 points the following season.

I think years and years and years of everything going the Lakers way has colored your thinking here...and I don't blame you. But dude's done.

Let's just discuss actual information and opinions rather than trying to read each other's minds, m'kay?

I think that if Bryant were done, we'd have seen some drop-off in recent years. I do think he'd be slowing down soon even without serious injuries, but statistically, he's not there yet. Of course I could be wrong.

wouldn't surprise me if Kobe was doing stuff like in Germany when he magically had one of his best seasons ever last year after starting to wear down the previous season. (this is COMPLETE supposition on my part, but it wouldn't surprise me...nothing any of these athletes do to stay number one does anymore)

So why wouldn't he do it again?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Dominique Wilkins was 32 when he tore his (January 1992) and averaged 30 points the following season.

right, but he's the exception to the rule isn't he? and he was 32, not 35. that's a major difference of years in the NBA.

Let's just discuss actual information and opinions rather than trying to read each other's minds, m'kay?

you were afraid the 61 win Suns team was going to lose that awful Kobe Bryant Laker team in 2007 who we eventually wiped the floor with..and I think you're reason was simply "just because they're the Lakers and they always scare me" or something to that effect.

that's where my "mind reading" comes from...your own words back in the day, m'kay?

 

[Cheesebeef]

So why wouldn't he do it again?

he probably will, but what we've seen with guys that HAVE done these types of things is that once it starts breaking down their bodies, they've reached a point of no return. Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens...all the guys who got nailed taking PEDs could outrun father time for only so long and then father time royally screwed them once their bodies started really betraying them. If this IS how Kobe had his miraculous season last year (after slowing considerably the previous year with his lowest shooting year at 43% percent since he was a rookie and a really ragged post-season where he averaged 22 ppg and just looked slow as sin), then I think he'll go the way of others who have cheated father time and the elements. at a certain point with those guys, it's time to pay the fiddler and I wouldn't be surprised at all if that's what's happening here.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Too bad. Kobe playing this year would have raised the Lakers up into mediocrity.

As far as Kobe starting to break down, well, he is 35 and he has had two major injuries. If it quacks like a duck. . . . I never thought Steve Nash would slow down either, or that Heather Locklear would look like this.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[sunsfan88]

The Lakers are going to bring in Kendall Marshall because of injuries. It might be interesting to watch.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/231160/Lakers-Agree-To-Sign-Kendall-Marshall

If he can't put up good numbers on D'Antoni team then he should just retire.

 

[elindholm]

right, but he's the exception to the rule isn't he?

Right. So now we agree that for Bryant to come back would not be impossible, it would merely require him to be exceptional.

you were afraid the 61 win Suns team was going to lose that awful Kobe Bryant Laker team in 2007 who we eventually wiped the floor with..and I think you're reason was simply "just because they're the Lakers and they always scare me" or something to that effect.

Sure, but that's because I think the Lakers were in the Suns' heads too, and we all suspected (correctly, of course) that the Lakers would get big help from the officiating. This isn't Bryant versus Jordan or O'Neal or James or Phil Jackson or his teammates or anyone else. It's just him and his body.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Right. So now we agree that for Bryant to come back would not be impossible, it would merely require him to be exceptional.

I never said it was impossible, but I think it's UNBELIEVABLY unlikely.

 

[JCSunsfan]

I vote for just unlikely and if so, not for long.

 

[sunsfan88]

Kobe to fans: Don't vote me to the All Star team

"Even though there's so much respect that comes from me to be able to play for the fans, I'd much rather see the young guys go out there and play in the game," Bryant said before the Lakers faced Denver on Sunday night. "They've obviously put the work in to be there that weekend, so I'd much rather see them go in there and participate."

http://www.nba.com/2014/news/01/05/kobe-bryant-lakers-all-star-team.ap/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts

With him and CP3 both missing the game, Dragic should get make it at least as an alternate. He's playing fantastic and All Star caliber ball this season.

 

[95pro]

Hey someone is showing a little class for once. Was kind of impressed by his words, first time I've heard anyone say that. I think Yao used to get voted in on shear numbers of the Chinese populous alone when he was injured.

 

[Suns_fan69]

With him and CP3 both missing the game, Dragic should get make it at least as an alternate. He's playing fantastic and All Star caliber ball this season.

Don't forget Russell Westbrook. He's likely out too.

With those 3 out, it's very plausible that Dragic gets in, although it'll likely be as the 11th or 12th guy

It'll likely be Parker, Harden, Lillard, Curry as the top 4 guards.

 

[SirStefan32]

I agree that Dragic should make the team, but keep in mind, if he does, the Suns have to pay him extra $2M or so, if I remember correctly.

 

[sunsfan88]

I agree that Dragic should make the team, but keep in mind, if he does, the Suns have to pay him extra $2M or so, if I remember correctly.

Why is that a bad thing? It's not like me or you is paying the check.

I bet even the Suns don't mind giving him the extra money since it will add more publicity and give them the advantage of "having a star player" on their team.