Just when it seemed like things were starting to turn around for the Lakers this season — now 34-32 after starting a dismal 17-25 — Kobe Bryant suffered what is being diagnosed as a severe left ankle sprain and will be out “indefinitely.”
Indefinitely usually means weeks, possibly months. But this is Kobe Bryant we’re talking about. According to Indiana Pacers beat reporter Scott Agness, Kobe Bryant is questionable for tonights game against the Pacers and they are preparing as if he is going to play.
As high as Kobe’s tolerance for pain is, it would be wise of Lakers’ coach Mike D’Antoni to prepare for at least one game without Bryant. While every game is vital at this point in the season, the Lakers still hold a half game advantage over the struggling Utah Jazz who do not play tonight. The Pacers boast the NBA’s best (and most physical) defense, and would be a nightmare for any player with a severely sprained ankle – even Kobe Bryant.
At worst the Lakers would lose to the Pacers — which is more than possible even with Bryant in the lineup — and find themselves in a tie with Utah for the 8th seed.
This seems like a minimal hit to take for the greater good of the season. Would a loss tonight at Indiana be the end of the world if it meant not risking further injury to the one player — Bryant — that they can’t afford to lose for an extended period of time?
At this point, with all the on and off-court drama the Lakers have endured this season, could it possibly be worth seeing if a game without Kobe would help galvanize the locker room and rally the team to a win?
How will Steve Nash look with the ball in his hands more? The Lakers have surprisingly played better this season when Nash and Bryant are on the court without the other. While the sample size is small, without Kobe, Nash assists on 31.6 percent of the team’s field goals, up from 24.6 percent with Kobe, more like he’s operating as if he’s back in Phoenix.
How will Dwight Howard look in a pick-and-roll oriented offense? According to mySynergySports.com, Howard is far more efficient in the pick-and-roll (1.305 points per play) than on post-ups (0.737 points per play), yet he has taken more than three times as many shots from the post. This will likely change without Bryant dominating the ball.
Which role players are willing to step up in Kobe’s absence? How will Kobe support the team from the sideline, is he really in this for the team?
And what could go along with improved moral better than a superstar returning from injury? Yes, Bryant will be back soon, but so will that other big guy the Lakers were starting to play so well with before he went down.
So with Pau set to return Monday, Kobe already feeling better and the Kings, Suns and Wizards up next on the schedule, shouldn’t the Lakers take their time with Kobe and make sure he’s available for the stretch run?
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Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com.