Despite Advanced Age, Injuries, Kobe Bryant Remains One of NBA’s Best

Published: 11^th Jan 12 1:52 am

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Despite Advanced Age, Injuries, Kobe Bryant Remains One of NBA’s Best

Kirby Lee, US Presswire

Heading into this season, many believed that Kobe Bryant’s best days were behind him. Most of his numbers across the board last season were down. His 25.3 points per game were at its lowest total since the 2003-2004 season and his rebound and assist totals slightly took a hit as well.

Then came the news that Bryant had special surgery in Germany on his knee during the offseason. The treatment called platelet-rich plasma therapy was considered to be a less invasive procedure compared to the ones here in the States, but it was considered a very unproven science. Lakers fans were left worried when they heard that news.

Things got even worse for the Lakers Nation when Bryant injured his wrist on a hard fall during the preseason. Bryant has said that the injury can be painful during game action. There have been reports released in recent days that the Lakers guard has had to take injections in the wrist because the severity of the injury.

Despite all the advanced age and all the injuries, the future hall of famer has yet to miss a game this season. In fact, Bryant has been so tough in regards to dealing with injuries that he has missed only nine games in the last 4+ seasons and all of that came during the 2009-2010 campaign.

In his 16th season in the league, Bryant is having one of the finest years of his career. Heading into tonight’s game against Phoenix, Bryant was averaging 27.6 points per contest, his highest total in more than four seasons. His rebounding numbers are the best since that stretch and his 6.1 assists per game are the best of his career.

I watched Bryant for the first time this season last night against my Suns and I thought he was terrific and by far and away the best player in the arena. Grant Hill did a pretty good job against him, but Bryant still managed to put 48 points on the scoreboard, the highest total that he has had so far this year.

Bryant showed no effects of a wrist injury on the night as he made 18-of-31 jump shots and more than half of them were probably with Hill in a hand in his face. He had a nice reverse dunk late in the game that showed his knee troubles are a thing of the past and the surgery in Germany was a success.

One of the all-time Lakers greats was also was his usual self on the defensive end of the court. He held Suns starter Jared Dudley to only six points, one of his lowest on the season. Bryant also had five boards and three steals that helped led to a couple of Lakers buckets.

If the first 11 games of the season are any indication, it looks as though those who thought Bryant was on the decline were a bit premature in their assessments.. Bryant is still an elite scorer, a great defender and the best fourth quarter closer that the game has to offer.

As a Suns fan, it pains me to say that, but the truth hurts.