“When you play basketball sometimes an injury will happen. It’s part of the game. You just have to play through it.”
- Kobe Bryant
It was February 5th, 2008. And it all happened so fast. Kobe saw an opportunity. He reached in for the steal on Jason Kidd. He pulled back gripping his right hand. Next thing you know a timeout was called and Kobe was headed for the locker room. When he returned a few minutes later his dislocated right pinky was taped to the next finger.
Kobe fans around the world feared the worst. But there was nothing to fear. Kobe is unstoppable.
In his return to the game he made adjustments, relying on his supernatural passing abilities to make up for his struggling shot. And though he ended the game with 11 points, his lowest since 1998, he put up eight assists and led his team to a 105-90 victory over New Jersey.
“It’s pretty sore,” he said. “I just feel like I have four fingers. I just don’t feel it. It feels like it’s not there. It’s a weird feeling. During the game it felt like it wasn’t there. I would pick up the ball and I would have to check. It felt like (the ball) kept sliding out of my hand.”
X-rays after the game showed no severe damage so Kobe did what he always does. He played through it.
“I’ve had my nose broken three times. I’ve had my wrist broken, my hand broken. Sprained my ankles 30 or 40 times. And it just happens. You just have to be able to play through it. If you love the game that’s just something you to play through.”
His will to win and his love for the game wouldn’t allow him to be sidelined. The following night Kobe faced a hungry Atlanta squad but was held to just eleven points in their 95-98 loss. But recovery came quickly, as he racked up three straight 30+ point games in victories over Orlando, Miami and Charlotte.
And though his appearance in the 3-point shootout is still in question there’s no doubt Kobe is gearing up to put on a show as a starter for the big game Sunday.
Check back for more glimpses of Kobe’s life and love of the game.
