Gary Vitti confirms ruptured achilles, Kobe out 6-9 months

[QUOTE]Ramona Shelburne ‏@ramonashelburne 47m
Kobe Bryant's longtime trainer Tim Grover tells ESPNLA: "If he's in that frame of mind, it's going to get done."

Grover: "This is going to be a mental battle of whether he wants to go through this or he doesn't want to go through this."

Grover on Kobe: "If he gets in that single mind and says, ''I want to do this. I'm going to do this, then we've won the battle.' "

Grover on Kobe: "I'd be shocked if the minutes had anything to do with it. An Achilles can happen stepping off a sidewalk.

Grover: "This is not Kobe's fault, because he pushed himself. This is not coaches' fault. An Achilles just happens."

Grover: "I can't see him not wanting to do this and to come back as Kobe Bryant, the way we know Kobe."


via Los Angeles Lakers

Athletic trainer Gary Vitti:

[QUOTE=kuniva_dAMiGhTy]Good point.

The thing is, I don't think I would even classify myself as a 'hater'. Ya, sure..I cant stand some aspects of Kobe's personality. The guy can be a HUGE twit, but I don't "hate" him....never did.[/QUOTE]

It's just a word. In fact, I don't 'hate' anybody. Not even people I know personally. I don't know these players. I'm not on the same continent, even. How could I hate them? I just dislike some of them.

But I learned not to talk much about the guys I dislike. Few people could guess which NBA players I don't like, despite my rather long posting career on this site.

[QUOTE=NoGunzJustSkillz]stole those from gts.[/QUOTE]

Isn't Grover the same guy that guaranteed T-Mac would be back at his prime level after he trained him following his micro-fracture surgery?

[QUOTE=Euroleague]Isn't Grover the same guy that guaranteed T-Mac would be back at his prime level after he trained him following his micro-fracture surgery?[/QUOTE]
T-Mac didn't look too bad when the Pistons gave him mins. What is he up to now-a-days anyways?

[QUOTE=NoGunzJustSkillz]T-Mac didn't look too bad when the Pistons gave him mins. What is he up to now-a-days anyways?[/QUOTE]

But was he the same as "prime T-Mac"? He's a free agent.

[QUOTE=Euroleague]Isn't Grover the same guy that guaranteed T-Mac would be back at his prime level after he trained him following his micro-fracture surgery?[/QUOTE]

To be fair, I think the job of a trainer comes with the unwritten understanding that you have to be as positive and optimistic as possible for your client, the fan base, etc. What do you expect him to say "That dude is done, stick a fork in him. Might as well have the funeral now"?

Ended the season with: 27 PPG, 6 APG, 6 RPG, on 46.4% FG.

Leads the league in points scored in the 4th quarter.

[QUOTE=BlackVVaves]Ended the season with: 27 PPG, 6 APG, 6 RPG, on 46.4% FG.
Leads the league in points scored in the 4th quarter.[/QUOTE]


To me, he went out on top of his game. Even if he won't play a single meaningful minute the rest of his life, I won't feel bad for him at all. He had a long and successful career, he is a top 10 player of all time. He has a family, enough money and looks perfectly healthy (the foot notwitstanding, pun not intended).

Most people say how sorry they feel for him... well, I'm his fan and I don't feel sorry one bit. I feel sorry for myself, because I can't watch him play. But for him? No, he'll be fine.

He went out on top, not having become a shell of his former self.

So Kobe going miss the last two games of this season and make come back by Christmas. Not bad.

[QUOTE=BlackVVaves]Ended the season with: 27 PPG, 6 APG, 6 RPG, on 46.4% FG.

Leads the league in points scored in the 4th quarter.[/QUOTE]
:applause:

[QUOTE=elementally morale]To me, he went out on top of his game. Even if he won't play a single meaningful minute the rest of his life, I won't feel bad for him at all. He had a long and successful career, he is a top 10 player of all time. He has a family, enough money and looks perfectly healthy (the foot notwitstanding, pun not intended).

Most people say how sorry they feel for him... well, I'm his fan and I don't feel sorry one bit. I feel sorry for myself, because I can't watch him play. But for him? No, he'll be fine.

He went out on top, not having become a shell of his former self.[/QUOTE]

Still sad to see though. He's also has the highest PPG for anyone in their 17 season, 4 points higher than Kareem's 23 per.

Impressive for someone with 17 years of wear and tear on those knees, but to me it's his 6 rebounds per game playing next to a prolific rebounder in Dwight, and 6 assists per game that really illustrates his ability this season.

Let's say July 1st comes, almost 3 months into his rehab, and the prognosis is Kobe wont be available until January. Do you think the Lakers should amnesty Kobe in July before the deadline to use the amnesty provision, and look to re-sign him the following off-season? Allow him to rehab, give his possible last year a real strong shot, and take $30 Million off the cap (would the Lakers find themselves with some freed cap space with this move?)?

[QUOTE=BlackVVaves]Let's say July 1st comes, almost 3 months into his rehab, and the prognosis is Kobe wont be available until January. Do you think the Lakers should amnesty Kobe in July before the deadline to use the amnesty provision, and look to re-sign him the following off-season? Allow him to rehab, give his possible last year a real strong shot, and take $30 Million off the cap (would the Lakers find themselves with some freed cap space with this move?)?[/QUOTE]

Yes.
In fact, if I was Kobe I'd say let's forget about next season altogether. Here is my 30 million, I kinda give it back (amnesty). Sign me for a year and 10 million for the 2014-2015 season, we shall see and take it from there.

Weeks before the injury I was of the opinion he should miss a season or two. He has played way too much, and I thought something bad would happen. Not physically though, I was afraid of a total mental breakdown. Resting your body and especially your nervous system is important. Some of the time, less is more.

Knowing Kobe, I think he will try coming back next year though and he won't get amnestied. On the one hand it is the competitive thing to do, on the other hand I'd be glad if he waited 18 months.

If Howard walks, amnesty Pau & commence tank mode.

[QUOTE=elementally morale]Yes.
In fact, if I was Kobe I'd say let's forget about next season altogether. Here is my 30 million, I kinda give it back (amnesty). Sign me for a year and 10 million for the 2014-2015 season, we shall see and take it from there.

Weeks before the injury I was of the opinion he should miss a season or two. He has played way too much, and I thought something bad would happen. Not physically though, I was afraid of a total mental breakdown. Resting your body and especially your nervous system is important. Some of the time, less is more.

Knowing Kobe, I think he will try coming back next year though and he won't get amnestied. On the one hand it is the competitive thing to do, on the other hand I'd be glad if he waited 18 months.[/QUOTE]
I think it really depends what Dwight does now, but all other things aside, Kobe needs to forget about next season all together imo.

[QUOTE=elementally morale]Yes.
In fact, if I was Kobe I'd say let's forget about next season altogether. Here is my 30 million, I kinda give it back (amnesty). Sign me for a year and 10 million for the 2014-2015 season, we shall see and take it from there.

Weeks before the injury I was of the opinion he should miss a season or two. He has played way too much, and I thought something bad would happen. Not physically though, I was afraid of a total mental breakdown. Resting your body and especially your nervous system is important. Some of the time, less is more.

Knowing Kobe, I think he will try coming back next year though and he won't get amnestied. On the one hand it is the competitive thing to do, on the other hand I'd be glad if he waited 18 months.[/QUOTE]

Except OOPS HERE COME THE BOBCATS AND SIGN HIM :roll:

He'll be picked up before he can get back on L.A.