Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers star shooting guard, injured his right shoulder in the Wednesday night Lakers loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. An early MRI exam showed a tear of the rotator cuff. His return to Los Angeles will be followed by an examination by team doctors and an update on his condition will be given.
According to ESPNLA, in true Kobe fashion, he isn’t too worried about the injury saying, “I’ve played on a torn labrum before, I’m not too concerned about it.”
Kobe Bryant, now 36, has had many, many successful years in his basketball career. On this day, January 22, eight years ago, Bryant scored an amazing 81 points in the 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors. It is the second-most points scored in one game in NBA history, only Wilt Chamberlain (100) has scored more.
Check out the NBA.com video of Kobe’s every shot during that record breaking game.
I am dedicating this blog to my Kobe-loving man, who so kindly asked me to post about his favorite basketball player.
*I do not own the photo in this post. Please click for credits*
The Model Journalist 
Kobe made it back previously from fairly severe shoulder injury, but the love for the game has to be overlooked for legacy at this point. Kobe, while one of my favs and greats of all time, only has a career fg percentage of 45% with a healthy shoulder. The fact that he is supported by a sub-par cast in conjunction with diminished athleticism does not provide a favorable scenario for a movie-like return to prominence for the 19 year vet.
As much as this pains me to say, Kobe needs to hang up his nikes. As an aside, I remember debating my boys who would be the greatest player of our generation back in 98-99. My friends suggested Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, and even Iverson. I wad a steadfast Kobe supporter. Never a fan of any player, but much respect to the man who defended the opponents best player nightly, and who won not 1, but 2 titles with Pau Gasol add his compliment. I’m not going to even get into having to play with Sasha Vujacic.
Hopefully the man bows out gracefully, but we all know he won’t. 81pts, not MJ, who didn’t even beat the Admirals 71, not Barkley, or Malone. Kobe, who was traded straight up for Vlade Divac on draft night. While that 81 is special Jerry West performed magic and highway robbery at the same time, that’s a true feat. Too bad Charlotte Hornets…missed out on something truly special.
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