Will the NBA Let Kobe Skip Sunday’s Game?
That’s the big question this weekend, and it’s not an easy one to answer.
The Lakers obviously want the injured Bryant to skip the ASG, but the League would like for him to play (even if it’s just for a brief cameo). And who knows what Kobe himself wants to do. Actually, it’s not hard to guess that he probably wants to suit up.
A league official confirmed Thursday night that the NBA is not looking for potential replacements to fill Bryant’s spot on the Western Conference squad. That’s because the league office still expects Bryant to start and play for the West.
Bryant is expected to meet with League officials today and we should find out pretty soon what his status for Sunday is.
Even in the unlikely scenario that he chooses not play, it’ll be hard to wrangle out this arrangement, seeing as how he played on Wednesday night and is expected to lead the troops on Tuesday in Atlanta.
29 Responses to “Will the NBA Let Kobe Skip Sunday’s Game?”
Feb.15 at 2:02 pm
nick says:
He’ll play. Maybe limited minutes, but he’ll play.
Feb.15 at 2:05 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Byron Scott ain’t gonna make him play much. Three, four minutes tops. Then again watch, he’ll play 35 minutes and win the MVP.
Feb.15 at 2:18 pm
Adam says:
I think the game Tuesday is in LA.
Feb.15 at 2:18 pm
Jay Davis says:
I say he starts and plays maybe 15 minutes.
Feb.15 at 2:45 pm
Captain America says:
He’s like KG, get him dressed and he’s a gamer.
Feb.15 at 3:13 pm
Jukai says:
Yeah, he’ll play, he’ll just only get ten-fifteen minutes out of the game. Which is good, let someone else get MVP.
Feb.15 at 3:28 pm
Jess says:
Im not and can probably say that I never will be a Kobe Bryant fan. But I mean theres no denying that he is an amazing player. If anyone were to play in the ASG hurt it would be Bryant…
Feb.15 at 3:32 pm
Blinguo says:
Keep Kobe out of the ASG. His waffle Zoom Kobe 3’s should not be seen in ASG colors by the public and National TV audience.
Feb.15 at 3:35 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Ryan Jones, insert comment with censored curse word here.
Feb.15 at 3:36 pm
Blinguo says:
Or let him in if he brings back the one handed white protective glove for that hand injury, channeling the other MJ. Expectations will then be high if the All Stars want to dance up on stage again with the intros.
Feb.15 at 3:44 pm
Reggie Evans says:
Kobe said that the biggest drawback to his injury is that he won’t be able to do “the shocker” without a lot of pain.
Feb.15 at 4:12 pm
Blinguo says:
Insert “Wedgie Evans” joke here.
Feb.15 at 4:12 pm
Orlando says:
lol…
Feb.15 at 4:17 pm
Jonah Lehmann says:
Kobe’s bein’ a wuss! he can play!
Feb.15 at 5:41 pm
Donn says:
I guess Kobe will be playing…I guess the NBA wants the players to treat the all star game like it’s game 7 of the nba finals…
Feb.15 at 6:39 pm
G Diesel says:
I know Vince Carter would have retired with this type on injury
Feb.15 at 6:56 pm
maio says:
Kobe gets a triple double and Paul gets the MVP award.
Feb.15 at 7:44 pm
Orlando says:
Carmelo gets MVP
Feb.15 at 7:58 pm
Kevin says:
Hedo still isn’t playing eh :S
Feb.15 at 8:22 pm
bouncyman says:
Any predictions for the rookie soph game tonight?
Feb.15 at 9:15 pm
Sesa says:
Haha, the NBA won’t let Kobe sit out the ASG. It’s all about revenues. Respect to other players but they wanted to see Kobe and LeBron go at it again. That’s easily spell: Money, money and money!
Feb.15 at 9:53 pm
Jukai says:
Sophmores win 232 to 140. Like usual. Roy MVP.
Feb.15 at 10:13 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-stars16feb16,1,5711925.story
Feb.16 at 4:30 pm
Collin says:
Kobes a warrior, he’ll fight through it and win mvp again.
Feb.16 at 7:00 pm
ak47 says:
Kobe should play a total of 5 minutes.
Feb.16 at 8:11 pm
Rob Paxon says:
Assuming you want the league to force players to participate, the rule in place is good. It prevents players from faking or embellishing injuries just to skip the game. But the rule’s only good if the league is very open to granting exceptions. By making Kobe play they are being far too strict and a good rule becomes a bad policy. First off, it is a legit injury. Second, the full extent of it wasn’t discovered until during/after the last game played before the break. Third, there’s really no disputing that the extra time of rest would be legitimately beneficial to the healing. In light of reason three, it isn’t relevant whether or not he plays the first game after the break. In short, forcing him to play injured is bull, even if he will play real games with this same injury. Luckily for Kobe and the Lakers, Byron Scott said he will start him for a minute and then pull the plug if that’s what he wants. Personally, if I ran the league I don’t think I’d force players to play at all. I would, though, force relevant players to participate in requested contests (eg. dunk) if they want to play in the game.
Feb.16 at 10:38 pm
the hawk will never die says:
yes they will. he is kkobe he does whatever he wants ON and OFF the court. I HATE VILLANOVA!
Feb.17 at 12:26 pm
jeremy says:
I dont care if he plays or not.I have never been a fan of Kobe.He aint the next Jordan nor will there ever be.There is only one.
Feb.17 at 12:27 pm
jeremy says:
PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT LAKE SHOW!