LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
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swedeinestonia
worcester
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LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
THE SLIDE CAN BE STEEP AND SWIFT! I BELIEVE THE END IS COMING SOON.
Kobe Bryant endures pain for team
ESPNLosAngeles.com
The absence of Kobe Bryant's intensity in practice may have shown itself in the Los Angeles Lakers' less-than-desirable performance during a stretch in December.
In an interview with the New York Post following Sunday's home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Bryant confirmed that he hadn't been going through all phases of practice all year because of a knee issue.
"Because I have very little cartilage under my right knee cap," he said, according to the newspaper. "It's almost bone on bone."
Bryant's frustration came to a head after a home loss to the Heat on Christmas, a game circled on the calendar since the summer. That loss came on the heels of an upset by the Bucks at Staples Center. Bryant vowed to get more involved in practice, and according to the Post, his knee is swelling as a result.
The Lakers guard has undergone three operations on the knee and had to have it drained during the playoffs last season.
"Until I got it drained the first time during the opening round against the Thunder I could not bend that knee at all," he said, according to the Post. "It was swollen as hell and it hurt like hell. Luckily things got a lot better once I had the procedure."
Because of the knee, the decision was made prior to the season to "sacrifice the team's intensity by minimizing wear and tear as much as possible," according to the Post.
At first, things were fine. The Lakers won their first eight games and 13 of 15, prompting talk that the two-time defending champions could surpass the 1995-96 Bulls' record of 72-10. They've been up and down since and are currently 25-11, good for third in the Western Conference.
Bryant's numbers haven't really suffered. He's right at his career averages, posting 25.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
But he believes his teammates have suffered because he has not been infusing intensity into practice sessions.
"You know how competitive and combative I am on the court," he said, according to the Post. "There's nothing I like better than to practice. In fact, I like practice more than the games, because I get to go at my teammates hard. That's when you find out what they're made of, how much you can push some to get the most out of 'em, and how you have to back off others so you don't lose 'em."
"What can I do that I'm not already doing?" he said, according to the newspaper. "I've increased treatment before and after I play, but there's no way of knowing what's going on under there unless I take an MRI once a month.
"When do I push them? When do I pat them on the back? Every individual is different. Some players you finesse. Some you contest. It's a constant dance. It's a constant search of the perfect rhythm."
The results of Bryant's rededication to practice: The Lakers are 4-2 since Christmas, including the 104-85 disaster against the Grizzlies.
112288
Kobe Bryant endures pain for team
ESPNLosAngeles.com
The absence of Kobe Bryant's intensity in practice may have shown itself in the Los Angeles Lakers' less-than-desirable performance during a stretch in December.
In an interview with the New York Post following Sunday's home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Bryant confirmed that he hadn't been going through all phases of practice all year because of a knee issue.
"Because I have very little cartilage under my right knee cap," he said, according to the newspaper. "It's almost bone on bone."
Bryant's frustration came to a head after a home loss to the Heat on Christmas, a game circled on the calendar since the summer. That loss came on the heels of an upset by the Bucks at Staples Center. Bryant vowed to get more involved in practice, and according to the Post, his knee is swelling as a result.
The Lakers guard has undergone three operations on the knee and had to have it drained during the playoffs last season.
"Until I got it drained the first time during the opening round against the Thunder I could not bend that knee at all," he said, according to the Post. "It was swollen as hell and it hurt like hell. Luckily things got a lot better once I had the procedure."
Because of the knee, the decision was made prior to the season to "sacrifice the team's intensity by minimizing wear and tear as much as possible," according to the Post.
At first, things were fine. The Lakers won their first eight games and 13 of 15, prompting talk that the two-time defending champions could surpass the 1995-96 Bulls' record of 72-10. They've been up and down since and are currently 25-11, good for third in the Western Conference.
Bryant's numbers haven't really suffered. He's right at his career averages, posting 25.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
But he believes his teammates have suffered because he has not been infusing intensity into practice sessions.
"You know how competitive and combative I am on the court," he said, according to the Post. "There's nothing I like better than to practice. In fact, I like practice more than the games, because I get to go at my teammates hard. That's when you find out what they're made of, how much you can push some to get the most out of 'em, and how you have to back off others so you don't lose 'em."
"What can I do that I'm not already doing?" he said, according to the newspaper. "I've increased treatment before and after I play, but there's no way of knowing what's going on under there unless I take an MRI once a month.
"When do I push them? When do I pat them on the back? Every individual is different. Some players you finesse. Some you contest. It's a constant dance. It's a constant search of the perfect rhythm."
The results of Bryant's rededication to practice: The Lakers are 4-2 since Christmas, including the 104-85 disaster against the Grizzlies.
112288
112288- Posts : 7855
Join date : 2009-10-16
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
I'm going to have to steal from Mark Twain and twist it a bit but...
news of the impending death of the Lakers is greatly exaggerated...
I wouldn't count them out, no chance.
news of the impending death of the Lakers is greatly exaggerated...
I wouldn't count them out, no chance.
LACELTFAN- Posts : 796
Join date : 2009-10-12
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
I wouldnt either. They remind me of US EXACTLY from last year.
jeb- Posts : 6165
Join date : 2009-10-16
Age : 59
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
i'll wait for the clock to say 00:00 in game 7 with the celtics celebrating before i'm going to call an end to the Lakers yrs as the West's top dogs
Matty- Posts : 4562
Join date : 2009-10-18
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
But I will say if we can be healthy at the end I think we got em this year. Them and everybody else that gets in our way.
jeb- Posts : 6165
Join date : 2009-10-16
Age : 59
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
Speaking of healthy, we should all be getting to bed about now.
worcester- Posts : 11495
Join date : 2009-10-31
Age : 77
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
worcester
these damn steroids wont let me sleep. they got me takin em to counter balance a really strong nausea med i have to take so i can eat.
But i only have to take one more steroid...thank gawd.
these damn steroids wont let me sleep. they got me takin em to counter balance a really strong nausea med i have to take so i can eat.
But i only have to take one more steroid...thank gawd.
jeb- Posts : 6165
Join date : 2009-10-16
Age : 59
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
Jeb, did i see somewhere u work in the visuel arts world?
Matty- Posts : 4562
Join date : 2009-10-18
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
i am a production designer for film projects Matty.
jeb- Posts : 6165
Join date : 2009-10-16
Age : 59
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
Lakers are like us more or less...
Old when they lose, experienced when they win.
Old when they lose, experienced when they win.
swedeinestonia- Posts : 2153
Join date : 2009-10-17
Age : 44
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
Hi,
It's sad if it's true. I'd rather have Celtics beating Lakers in the finals than any other team. No competition for the taste of that victory, hands down. Well, the distant second is beating Mia, but it's ECF.
Oops, sorry - I turned my time machine on by accident.
AK
It's sad if it's true. I'd rather have Celtics beating Lakers in the finals than any other team. No competition for the taste of that victory, hands down. Well, the distant second is beating Mia, but it's ECF.
Oops, sorry - I turned my time machine on by accident.
AK
sinus007- Posts : 2621
Join date : 2009-10-22
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
Brandon Roy's career is close to being over because he's bone-on-bone. It just makes it hard to play extended minutes, game after game, when you are like that.
The Lakers don't want to be a road team in the playoffs but, then again, they don't need to be. If Kobe can suck it up, and there's NO doubt in my mind that he will, then the Lakers will be fine in the playoffs because that's when he'll turn it on. He's a money player.
Next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, is something else. That's a looong damn time to be running and jumping on a knee with little to no cartilage.
bob
.
The Lakers don't want to be a road team in the playoffs but, then again, they don't need to be. If Kobe can suck it up, and there's NO doubt in my mind that he will, then the Lakers will be fine in the playoffs because that's when he'll turn it on. He's a money player.
Next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, is something else. That's a looong damn time to be running and jumping on a knee with little to no cartilage.
bob
.
bobheckler- Posts : 61053
Join date : 2009-10-28
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
I very much dislike Kobe, as both a player and a person. But I would never wish him ill health. One thing he has going for him is access to state-of-the-art treatment. Already in existence are means for generating cartilage growth in joints; and the research in this area of great need is prolific.
Here' a link to one such approach:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=113003
Sam
Here' a link to one such approach:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=113003
Sam
Re: LA LAKERS BEGINNING OF THE END?
Gee, I didn't know they still had a team All I hear about are the fantastic Clippers and Griffin. LOL
No, don't count them out. They have great players who have the ability to overcome Guru Phil and their other obstacles. They are a team in decline, as Kobe is getting old, and all the wear and tear on him is definitely taking its toll. At this point, KG might have a longer shelf life.
Did anybody catch Bob Ryan on PTI the other day bemoaning the fact that ESPN and the other providers weren't televising the Celtics/Spurs game? It was great, best thing he's said in years. LOL
No, don't count them out. They have great players who have the ability to overcome Guru Phil and their other obstacles. They are a team in decline, as Kobe is getting old, and all the wear and tear on him is definitely taking its toll. At this point, KG might have a longer shelf life.
Did anybody catch Bob Ryan on PTI the other day bemoaning the fact that ESPN and the other providers weren't televising the Celtics/Spurs game? It was great, best thing he's said in years. LOL
mulcogiseng- Posts : 1091
Join date : 2009-10-21
Age : 76
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