The Los Angeles Lakers had their world knocked upside down this morning as news that guard Kobe Bryant would miss six weeks made its way through the practice facility.
Bryant played in only six games after returning from a torn Achilles and finally started to get into a rhythm with his new teammates. While the turnovers were still high, he scored 21 points, including a huge three-pointer in the Lakers 96-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Talking to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Bryant had a message for those that doubt he can make another recovery:
The walls are closing, his path to restoration never so perilous, and yet here was Kobe Bryant on Thursday afternoon making clear his belief on those who’d dare doubt his resolve again. “Only an idiot would,” Bryant told Yahoo Sports.
It was just 11 days ago that Bryant made his return against the Toronto Raptors after months and months of rehab. Without Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar and Steve Blake, the 35-year-old guard took over playmaking duties the past four games.
In the third quarter against the Grizzlies, Bryant went down after making a move in the post against Tony Allen and was seen rubbing his knee several times. Nobody knew it, but he finished the game with the fracture in the knee and after the game said he just hyperextended his knee, something he’s done from time-to-time.
Upon hearing it was a fracture, Bryant was relieved it wasn’t something more serious:
“Lucky it wasn’t a meniscus,” Bryant told Yahoo Sports on Thursday afternoon.
The six week timetable will allow Bryant’s Achilles to get more rest and possibly get stronger according to longtime trainer Tim Grover, but don’t count on the five-time champion sitting the rest of the season out.
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Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Out Six Weeks With Fracture In Knee, Steve Nash Out Four More Weeks