The Kobe Situation

   Disbelief is what I felt when I heard the news. That news that broke last night, saying Kobe Bryant had suffered a probable torn Achilles. The man who has played through so many aches and pains. The man who, at 34, was regularly playing 48 minutes a night, willing his Lakers to the playoffs. Well now playoffs or no playoffs, the Lakers are done. The man who got them this far is out for the season, raising dozens have questions about Kobe as a franchise player and the Laker franchise itself.

   Today Kobe had his surgery, officially ending his season and sidelining him for six to nine months. Knowing Kobe, it will be closer to six months as he will kill himself trying to get on the court to start the season. But even if his recovery is swift and smooth, will he still be the Black Mamba? Even Kobe speculated on that. After all, this is no garden variety leg injury. 

   Two questions come in the wake of this injury. Who is to blame? Should L.A. amnesty Kobe?

   Any Knicks fan would say that Mike D'Antoni is to blame. He was the guy that ran Amar'e straight out of his prime in less than a year as a Knick. But did D'Antoni have any control over Kobe? Probably not. Kobe can be blamed, but you'd have to blame this on his tenacity and competitiveness. So really it's a praise in part. Kobe had said multiple times that the Lakers would make the playoffs and to do that, it was clear that he'd have to play 48 minutes a night, or close to. 

   The amnesty question is far more intriguing  Financially, it makes sense. He's aging, with one year left on his pricey contract. An amnesty would save the Lakers from going into the luxury tax. But then again, can you see Kobe in another uniform? Absolutely not. My gut feeling is that this injury leads to a contract restructuring and also putting off his retirement, which he originally planned for the end of the 2013-2014 season. 

   All those ice baths couldn't compete with all those minutes. For the first time in his career, Kobe will have to be a spectator for an extended time. He will have to give more control to doctors, trainers and his G.M. than he ever has. If I may revise his salutation, Mamba is out.