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Impact of Kobe Bryant’s injury on Utah Jazz
Posted by: SmoothJazz on March 14th, 2013
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.I’ve maintained for the last few weeks that I like the Jazz chances of reaching the post season mainly because of their depth behind their starting five. Although it’s been frustrating for fans to watch the lack of disparity, or apparent improvement, between players that get starting minutes and those waiting behind them, one of the biggest benefits is that the Jazz are well equipped to handle the inevitable injuries that come at the end of a long NBA season.
Conversely, LA, Houston, and Golden State are one 2-3 week injury away from tanking the end of the season and falling out of playoff contention. A sprained ankle, pulled groin, or strained back to any of the three key players of Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Stephen Curry would almost certainly torpedo any chance that team has of reaching the playoffs.
Last night we saw Kobe go down on the final play of a losing effort against the Hawks. Kobe called the injury his “worst sprain since 2010″ making me think he expects to be out at least a week. How do you expect Kobe’s injury to impact the Lakers as they seek to maintain their playoff spot over the Jazz?
si.com has a great article breaking down the injury:
Replies: 33
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33 Responses
Kobe will miss 2 games tops. He is puts mind over matter and is one of the most mentally tough players to step to the hardwood. I just hate that his will is stronger than all 5 of the Jazz starters! Its hard to admit that the kobe deserves the playoffs more than the jazz starters do, but its so true.
It’s true that Kobe Bryant is one of the most mentally tough players to ever play in the NBA although he sometimes will play hurt to the detriment of his team. I don’t see him coming back AND being effective for at least two weeks unless the sprain turns out to be a lot better than it looks.
I hope we don’t make the playoffs. I’m not saying I want them to tank because I will never be okay with that. But this team does not deserve the playoffs and these young players need to realize it takes more effort and hard work to make it into the post season.
I hope I don’t have to read any other pessimistic loser post about hoping the Jazz not to make the playoffs.
I agree with Mason and an ineffective Kobe is still worth more than the Jazz starting backcourt at the moment. It also gives alot of confidence to the rest of the team. Confidence is also something that i dont think the Jazz have at the moment. also dont count out Dallas as they are only a couple of games back
Injuries again probably save the Jazz!!! I dont think a team in NBA history has had so much fortune with key injuries!! Injuries to CJ, Howard, and Watson helped the Jazz play their best ball to close season, here tho injury to Kobe might help Jazz back into a playoff spot…..but Kobr doesn’t miss games. This is probably some Zen Master mind trick he’s using to psych-out everyone, so when he returns its like a saving grace….that or hes pulling an MJ “flu game” where if they lose, “oh well its cuz Kobe got hurt,”…but if they win, “oh my! What a warrior he played hurt and team won.” I hate Kobe.
Jamezz,
You don’t understand my post if that’s all you gained from it. It’s not pessimism. I don’t have a ton of patience for stupid fans that aren’t tired of the same old crap and lack of effort. As fans, I want the Jazz pride back that existed even after Stockton and Malone left. Even when we weren’t making it deep in the playoffs, we expected a good competitive team. Now fans are too lazy and complacent to demand a better product. There’s a HUGE difference between supporting your team, and accepting losing.
At the risk of sounding pessimistic, I hope that the Jazz don’t make it to the play-offs this year and get a couple of good draft picks, then resign their core4 for the future.
Careful Robert. You will get in big trouble for being reasonable.
People think if you say you hope we don’t make the playoffs, that you’re stupid, pessimistic, and a bandwagon fan. That’s not the case at all. I’m not saying we should tank, i’m saying that we simply do not deserve to make the playoffs. If we do, we’ll get destroyed like last year. If we play well enough to make it, fine. If we don’t, so what.
You got a problem Kevin? ‘Stupid fans that aren’t tired of the same old crap and lack of effort’. What does that have to do with anything. I don’t think it just boils down to lack of effort, it’s a combination of things, unexperienced coach, bad decisions made by the players…
It’s a matter of pride. As a fan I always like to see my team in the mix at the end of the season, it builds respect overtime, something I don’t have for teams like the Warriors for example. Not to speak about the revenues and all, STUPID.
@Kevin, I agree with you that we shouldn’t purposely tank, just that it would be good if we got those draft picks.
And now back to the point, I pass on having personal issues here with anyone. It all depends on how many games he misses, but especially what we can accomplish the following games. It’s a tough calendar, Grizzlies, Knicks, @the Texas triangle. I hope I see pride in the players in trying to make it to the playoffs. It’s what this game is all about, competitiviness.
We’ll talk about whether they deserved it or not at the end of the season, but I think that’s their task now and it’s what I’m looking forward to see.
With Kobe Bryant out, I count about 8 very winnable games for the Lakers vs what I would consider 12 winnable games for the Jazz. With Kobe I would put the Lakers number at 12-14.
@Disco- Dallas is definitely lurking but with their inconsistent play this year I think the 45 wins that 12 more wins would give the Jazz, Dallas would also be in our rear view mirror.
I only have a problem with fans who are complacent and accuse other fans of being losers because they expect more out of a talented roster and a coach who has had plenty of time to set up some plays and a plan. Especially when the fan hasn’t made an attempt to understand what the point being made actually was. You start something, and then act innocent and surprised that I defend myself.
I’m calling it now Jazz win ten straight..
Kobe is a little baby. That was not a dirty play at all. It was basketball. If he doesnt want a little bit of contact tell him to sign up for the WNBA. I will take a $25 million salary even if its a little physical and I sprain an ankle every once in a while. What a little girl scout. I hate Kobe.
“I hate Kobe”—finally something we can agree on!!
As much as I hate Kobe’s attitude and trash talk, he is one of the most mentally strong player in the league as most of you have pointed out, I thought his tank was mostly used up about 2 years ago but I was wrong, he made some impossible shoot against the Hawks and I have to admit he is one of the most exciting player to watch in the NBA.
To be honest, I think the Lakers will make the playoff and steal our spot, which is most of us don’t want to see. But on the other hand if that is the case may be, I am saying may be the FO will start to do something about our lineup and hopefully get rid of Corbin.
If we do make it to the playoff then we going to be butt kicked by the Spurs or OKC. Then we are back to square one.
I still think we should have tanked it last year and drafted a good PG, instead of stuck in a situation now.
This year has been painfully to watch the Jazz! I hope next season will be better.
Kobe keeps saying how the play was dangerous and how the official missed the call but it’s all crap. Calls are missed all the time…get used to it, it’s life in the NBA. Second, Dantay Jones was just playing his best defense… He didn’t mean to hurt Kobe, or land underneath him, or deliberately screw the Laker’s team over. Those things happen, it’s part of the game. Kobe needs to SUCK IT UP! He’s a loser and wuss!
I do hope the Jazz miss the playoffs…actually, I hope we have a losing season. I want us to invest all we can to land a point guard and center in the draft, and get a shooting guard and small forward in free agency. Then just let them loose!!! Here’s my hope for next season’s lineup:
PG: Trey Burke, Alec Burks
SG: Kyle Korver, DeMarre Carroll
SF: Gordon Hayward, Dorell Wright
PF: Derrick Favors, Jeremy Evans
C: Enes Kanter, Alex Len (or Nerlens Noel)
@Adam: I am with you on getting Korver, he likes the Jazz and he has done a lot to the organisation and the community, the only concern I have is his age, with Toxic Raja experience, not sure whether it is a good idea to get an aging SG.
And yes, we need a PG!!!
“Adam, I think you’re on the right track. Trey Burke and the center from Gonzaga, Olynik or what ever his name is.
I actually dont expect Kobe to be out long he has a big ego , and I dont think that Lakers have missed more than a couple of playoffs since he started with the Lakers .
I really think that this team has a identity problem and with all the tough games they have left it doesnt look to promising . But I am with ya all we should never purposely tank it like GS did .
The way they are playing now there is no effort and you wont win many games with that attitude .
@ LK Anderson if they win 10 straight , I will personally tip my hat to ya .
I give then seven games, with luck.
NBA did come out and say reffs blew it. But what gets me is do it for the whining kobe. Any body else thew would have said it was a clean play. kobe is never wrong you know..
Here’s the thing. I like Foye too! But he’s a lot smaller and a bit more streaky of a shooter. Korver is much bigger, plays hard aggressive defense, and is deadly from any distance. He gave so much life and excitment to the Jazz in the 2007 playoffs! The reason I said Alex Len is because the scouting report states that he has good post-up skills but he can also shoot the ball all the way out the the three point line. That’s really going to help with spacing! I like Nerlens Noel because he’s averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds, and almost 5 blocks per game. We all know that with Jefferson and Millsap that defense is harder to teach than offense. That’s why I think we should go after one of the bigs in the draft. Trade some players, draft picks, money, ANYTHING. Let’s just get Trey Burke. You watch his highlights! He can shoot the ball VERY well and passes the ball terrifically. I mean, he’s averaging 19 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists. He is the point guard we need!!!
Oh wow. Kobe is already a game time decision? http://tracking.si.com/2013/03/15/lakers-bryant-game-time-decision/?sct=hp_t2_a7&eref=sihp
CRAZY
He’ll play…no don’t about it…
With his ego I would not be surprised if he plays. Thing is trying to play on a injured ankle could make it worse..Let’s see. My money is he plays tonight..
Mike D’Antoni expects Kobe Bryant to start against Pacers-
http://nba.si.com/2013/03/15/kobe-bryant-ankle-injury-update-lakers-pacers/?sct=uk_t2_a3
No way. It’s hard not to think of the Jordan “Flu” in this situation. Boo
I think Kobe playing is the best thing possible for Jazz fans that want the Lakers to miss the playoffs.
Remember he went 11-for-33 last game, and that was before he got hurt.
Kobe is overplaying his injury to look like a hero as he wills his team to the playoffs while suffering through a phony injury. He deserves a Grammy
A Grammy? Is he singing the national anthem?
Haha, you mean an Oscar!