Follow LA Observed on Twitter here
You think this injury to his Achilles tendon isn't a big deal to Kobe Bryant? Or to the Lakers and his fans? At 3:30 this morning Bryant posted on his Facebook page a screed about the rage, pain and frustration he feels. "This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times!" He goes on to ponder if this is the end of his time in basketball. In seven hours, 328,565 Facebook users had liked the post and 70,608 had shared it.
This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not! It's 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I'm wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what's the purpose of social media if I won't bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER!
Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.
One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
"If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats "mamba mentality" we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer.
I know it's a long post but I'm Facebook Venting LOL.Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.
Mamba Out
The Lakers website aggregated reaction and good wishes from around Twitter. The salutes from basketball greats such as LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hints at how serious they all know that this kind of injury can be for an older athlete.
* Also this: Will Carroll, a sports writer who specializes in the study of injuries and recovery time, explains what a torn Achilles is (technically, a strain unless the tear is complete, then it is a rupture) and writes that the record of returns in the NBA is not good.
If confirmed, the normal time lost to an Achilles rupture is 10 to 12 months, putting the first half of next season in jeopardy. Remember, Bryant recently said he would make a decision about next year being his last in the NBA....
If it can get worse, the injuries to Bryant's knees will complicate his rehab and return from this Achilles injury. The Lakers will have to be very careful with his rehab to make sure that his repaired leg doesn't cause any gait changes and cascade injuries, which are very common in this type of situation.Strengthening the muscles of the leg, especially the gastrocnemius (calf), is paramount to the success of the rehab and the return to function. Bryant is already having trouble with this due to the maintenance needed on his knees.
Also, ESPN's Kevin Pelton — another injuries expert — writes today that "a ruptured Achilles has historically been the most problematic injury for NBA players."
Of the 22 players my research found who suffered full Achilles ruptures in the past two decades, more than a quarter -- including Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas -- saw the injury lead directly to their retirement. Several others were never the same.
