Lakers should ask Kobe Bryant to return next season
Sitting a season out when he is fit is not something which comes naturally to the Black Mamba
In just his seventh game back from a torn Achilles, Kobe Bryant hyper extended his left knee in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies and in the process has been declared out for the next six weeks with a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee.
In his seven games played post a torn Achilles rehab, Bryant averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists including a near triple double effort against the Charlotte Bobcats recording 21 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists while shooting an impressive 53.3% from the field.
As per the announcement made by the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant is scheduled to return the first week of February. That leaves the team with 22 games, including a grueling 7 games East coast road trip owing to the Grammys being held at the Staples Center. That is not an easy stretch with the last 5 games played in the span of a week.
So what should the Lakers? Should the decision of when to return be left with the 15-time All-Star? Or should franchise benefits dictate his return date?
The Lakers had a great chemistry going sans Bryant, but with this second injury the Lakers should ask their franchise superstar to make a return only by next season and why.
Kobe Bryant’s body needs a break
Kobe Bryant’s body has probably been through more wear and tear than any one else in the NBA. It needs a break.
The existing Lakers team is not a championship contender with or without Bryant and if he is looking to maximize the utilization of his 48.5 million dollar two year contract extension with the Lakers, he needs to sit this season out.
When it comes to being a better team in the following years, a decision to sit out this season will help not just Bryant but his franchise.
We all know the insane drive behind Bryant’s 17 year career but he needs to look at the bigger picture. If he wants to contend with the best team in the league in June and fight for that elusive 6th title he needs to rest the summer along with the entire remaining season.
Yes, Bryant should not make a return until next season. His body has clogged minutes which rank 5th All-Times, a testament to his fitness and pain toleration ability. He has played through many injuries but he needs to allow his body to recuperate and recover completely from the wear and tear it has suffered so far.
Keeping in mind his age and the number of years he has spent in the league, we could see Bryant calling it quits at the end of his contract with the purple and gold. So in order to make the following two years count, he needs to ensure he is in the best shape possible.
Team could receive a higher pick in the Draft.
Building through the draft seems as the more viable option as playoffs are highly unlikely.
Teams have been looking to tank this season in order to receive a high pick in next year’s star studded Draft but for the prestigious franchise of the Lakers tanking is not an option.
So leaving the team to play without their superstar is helpful in more ways than one.
- The team is going through another battle with injuries. Their veteran duo Steve Nash (back) and Pau Gasol (upper respiratory illness) are both currently unable to represent the team. Add to the list Chris Kaman’s ankle injury and Steve Blake’s elbow leaves the Lakers in a situation very similar to last season.
The franchise should let Mike D’Antoni play out the season with the available roster as the highest positive result of a playoff spot too seems highly unlikely now.
With an announcement in the media that they are keeping Bryant till he can be completely fit and that the team was doing satisfying prior to Bryant making his return, the fans would be pleased that the team hasn’t completely committed itself to tanking and just prefer to become competitive through the draft.
- As mentioned above earlier leaving Bryant from the season helps him be in the best possible shape for the next two seasons which could possibly be his last.
- As time wears on and a playoff spot starts seeming more unlikely, the Lakers management is going to be secretly smiling. It leaves the Lakers with an opportunity to receive a high pick come lottery time in June.