Although this 66-game schedule pleases fans by giving them more basketball in a condensed period of time, players have had trouble staying on the court. Role players and star players have faced injuries all throughout the season and it seems as though the toughest team come playoff time will be the one which as the healthiest roster.
Chicago Bulls MVP Derrick Rose has been sidelined for several games this season, but luckily Kobe Bryant has not missed one regular season game. Although Bryant has dealt with a torn ligament in his shooting wrist, he has played in all of the Lakers’ game this season.
Kobe talked to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times and talked about his fairly healthy 2011-12 season:
“I’m fine,” Bryant said. “I’ve noticed a lot of people going down with injuries and I’m very proud to say that they’re a lot younger than I am.
“Here I am, I haven’t pulled a hamstring or pulled muscles or anything like that. Over the summer, I worked extremely hard trying to stay in shape and trying to get ready for this compression.”
The Lakers are not the most talented team in the NBA, so a healthy and effective Kobe Bryant is imperative if they want to make a push in the playoffs this season.
Bryant has carried the Lakers’ offense this season, and with him the team would struggle mightily on that end of the court.
