They're going under a significant change in offensive style with new coach Mike Brown and attempting to compensate for the loss of reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom. Possibly the largest obstacle that they've had to face, however, has been Kobe Bryant and the torn ligaments in his wrist.
Suffering the injury in a meaningless preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Bryant was reported to have torn several ligaments in the wrist that's connected to his shooting hand.
Already playing with a few bum fingers on that hand, the wrist injury forces Bryant to continue learning how to shoot more with his left hand.
When Bryant went down with the injury and Lamar Odom left, nearly everyone began to discount the Lakers. Many had them losing out in the Pacific Division to the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing as a low seed in the Western Conference and ultimately called Kobe Bryant finished.
I've learned a lot through the years about the NBA. Doubting Kobe Bryant was one of them because he always seemed to unleash this pent-up rage and fury at the worst possible time for your team. You can talk down his performance in those situations by speaking of his low shooting percentage, but I can just about guarantee that every single person associated with the NBA will say that Kobe is the one person they want taking the last shot.
There's no debating that. If you want to win a game late, you give the ball to Bryant.
He's performed miracles in the past and has won five championships and two Finals MVPs because of how volatile and lethal he is when the game is on the line. He's a born leader and champion; it shows in his commitment to winning and attempting to be the best.
Just take a look at what he's done this year: At 33 years old and with a bad wrist on his shooting arm, Bryant is leadin...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
