2014 NBA Top 20: #8 Kobe Bryant

Steve Nash #10, Kobe Bryant #24 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers pose for a picture during media day at Toyota Sports Center on September 28, 2013 in El Segundo, California. (Getty Images)

Now, Bryant is no ordinary athlete and has made a career out of jumping rehabilitation schedules and playing through injuries. All that was okay when he was in his 20’s or in his early 30’s, but at this juncture of his career, it is of paramount importance that he puts his body over the needs of his team and the franchise.

After his injury, Bryant had stated, “I was really tired, man. I was just tired in the locker room. Upset and dejected and thinking about this mountain I have to overcome. This is a long process. I wasn’t sure I could do it. But then the kids walked in here, and I had to set an example. ‘Daddy’s going to be fine. I’m going to do it.’ I’m going to work hard and go from there. It’s fuelling me. I can feel it already. Players at this stage of their careers and then they pop their Achilles and they say they’re never going to come back the same. I can hear it already. It’s pissing me off right now.”

Will Bryant do everything possible to get back in prime playing condition? Yes. He takes it as a challenge to defy the savants who believe that there is no way that one can come out of an Achilles injury and again get back to elite levels. Barring Dominique Wilkins and Tiny Archibald, maybe no NBA player has had a successful return from this injury. The doubts are massive and Bryant seems to take it on himself to dispel all such myths.

“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise. If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear. I’ve always loved that quote. That’s “mamba mentality” we don’t quit, we don’t cower, and we don’t run. We endure and conquer.”

By his own admission he still needs close to three weeks of intense work-out to get back into playing shape. He has now been cleared to start running and now the beast in Bryant has been unleashed. How well does he do when he does grace the court again is for everyone to see and judge?

But for sure, Bryant isn’t someone who is going to complain about his body affecting his performances and he for sure isn’t going to linger on and wait for the perfect time to get back. He is a warrior and as soon as he believes he is in a state to play through any pain and still be effective, he is going to play through everything in his way.

There will be no excuses made and no passes taken. He may not be the same Kobe that could blow by defenders and had the hops to dunk over 7-footers, but for sure he will try, and try till he doesn’t die trying. As Nike put it in their Kobe campaign:

“You showed us that an 18-year-old could play with the best.

You showed us that a championship game, an exhibition game, and a charity event are all must-wins.

You showed us how to play chess while others played checkers.

You showed us how to hit game-winner after game-winner.

You showed us that an 81-point game is a real thing.

You showed us that gold still matters.

You showed us how to take an ice bath.

You showed us how to score 30 points in a quarter, twice.

You showed us the Mamba Face.

You showed us how to demand perfection and demand it from everyone.

You showed us how to put big-boy pants on.

You showed us that you were never out of it, ever.

You showed us how inspirational a pair of free throws could be.

Now, show us again.”

Yes, Kobe show us again.