Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Would Have Trouble Accepting Rest For ‘Load Management’ Like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard & Other Stars

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant regularly defied the odds throughout his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, whether rising from the No. 13 pick in the 1996 NBA Draft to be the game’s best player, or forging ahead when it seemed his body couldn’t keep him upright.

Bryant often beat timetables for his various injuries; sprained ankle, broken fingers on his shooting hand, right shoulder injury, or knee trouble. Of course, there eventually came a time when Bryant’s fierce determination to remain on the court no longer was enough.

A torn rotator cuff, fracture in his left knee and Achilles tear ultimately combined to mark the beginning of the end for the five-time champion. And when it came close to calling it a career, there were nights Bryant didn’t play.

That’s become a popular trend in the current NBA culture, with the likes of Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, among others, strategically being held out on any given night. That’s an approach Bryant said he could not have relegated himself to, per Frank Isola of The Athletic:

“The only time I took a game off is when I couldn’t walk.” Kobe Bryant says he never would have gone for LeBron-style “load management.”

In James’ defense, he has voiced a desire to continue playing. And while he recently missed games because of ‘load management,’ James’ latest absence was because of a sore left groin that he strained on Christmas.

In Leonard’s case, the Toronto Raptors have been mindful of his workload and usage this season as he’s coming off a lost year because of a quad injury.

Though it may come across as criticism, Bryant’s comment is simply another example of the stubbornness and determination that led to him becoming one of the NBA’s all-time greats.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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