Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are ready for the start of a new season and a new era. And there's no way that a little wrist injury is going to keep Bryant from playing this Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Bulls.
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Mike Trudell Kobe said he is going to be fine, & anticipates playing through the pain. Classic Kobe injury response.
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Mike Trudell Kobe: "I've dealt with do many things ... this should be fine." He does not seem concerned. Again, no shock.
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View the video of Bryant confirming his availability for this weekend by clicking here.
Bryant won't have an easy task this weekend regardless. Either he'll be forced to try and keep Derrick Rose from driving into the paint or distributing the ball, or he'll have to chase Rip Hamilton down on screen after screen. My guess is that he'll be on Rose, putting Derek Fisher on Hamilton, which should lead to much pain for all involved in the Laker backcourt. Considering the long lockout layoff, I'm guessing Bryant and Fisher will be less-prepared to handle that load.
Still, it's better than the prospect of Devin Ebanks trying to do the job for 35-40 minutes.
To discuss the Bryant injury, head on over to Silver Screen and Roll.