Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Discusses Free-Throws After Torn Achilles

Dan Duangdao
2 Min Read

Kobe Bryant achilles

One of the most defining moments in Kobe Bryant’s career unfortunately came on April 12 when he marched to the free-throw line with a torn Achilles and drilled both to help the Lakers tie the game at 109. He walked off the court on his own strength and left millions wondering when he would return.

It’s been exactly four months since Bryant tore his Achilles and fortunately for the basketball world, everything is looking optimistic so far. He’s already “shattered” the timetable for this injury and is already walking and lifting weights.

Bryant is currently in the Philippines to promote Lenovo and in front of thousands of fans, he talked about the first thing that came to mind when it happened. To no one’s surprise, it was making his free throws:

“As soon as it happened, I knew what it was. I knew I was done. I knew it. So as soon as it happened, ‘Boom. Torn Achilles. I’m done. I gotta make these free throws.'”

Bryant could’ve easily gone to the locker room, but he felt it was his responsibility to put his team in the best position to win and make the playoffs:

“We’ve come all the way back. We’re fighting all year to get to the playoffs and this is a big couple of points that we need right here. It’s my responsibility to step up there and knock them down and then get my butt off the court.”
With Kobe expected to play a couple more years, there were hopes he would play in the Olympics one final time. Unfortunately, he informed fans in the Philippines that it’s time for younger players to experience playing for the United States and his only goal from this point is to win his sixth championship.

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Dan Duangdao was the managing editor at Lakers Nation (2013-16, 2018-20). He is currently the founder at LA Sports Media, Lake Show, Raiders Nation, Rams Nation, Kings Nation, Galaxy Nation, and MMA Rumors. Born and raised in Southern California and a lifelong Los Angeles sports and mixed martial arts fan, his first NBA game was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors with Michael Jordan in attendance during the 1998-99 NBA season. He was previously a contributor at HOOPSWORLD (now Basketball Insiders) and an NBA editor at ClutchPoints. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @DanDuangdao.
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