Los Angeles Lakers: Is Kobe Bryant Rushing Rehab?

For 17 seasons, Kobe Bryant has been the heart and soul of the Lakers. He has provided heroics, hundreds of dazzling plays, numerous buzzer beaters and, most importantly, five championships that have left the city of Los Angeles in awe of his spectacular ability. After the years of Phil Jackson, the Lakers tried to put together a dream team that consisted of Kobe, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Dwight Howard in hopes of regaining the championship crown that had eluded them for three years. Sadly, that hope crashed and burned and the Lakers had to rely on the magic of the Black Mamba just to get them into the playoffs. Sadly, though, Kobe would not be joining them in their very short playoff run as he tore his Achilles against the Golden State Warriors just days before the end of the season. Now, instead of joining the team in the playoffs, Kobe began the long process of recovery of an injury that ended the careers of Isiah Thomas and altered that of Dominique Wilkins.

(Warning for Lakers fans: Video may cause severe sobbing)

The prognosis on Kobe’s injury was that, after surgery, it would take between six to nine months for Kobe to return to the court. This meant that the earliest time we could expect to see the Black Mamba on the court was the start of the 2013 season, which seemed unlikely as many close to the situation said Christmas time would be a more realistic comeback time.

Kobe Bryant, just less than three months after Achilles’ tendon surgery, is back on the court shooting. (Image courtesy of Kobe Bryant on Instagram/ http://instagram.com/p/bMG5__xNv-/)

Since then, reports have been that Kobe has shattered that timetable, saying that he is three months ahead of schedule. This should surprise no one as Bryant has played through numerous injuries during his long career and shown a great tolerance for pain and continued to produce greatness while his body is damaged. Lakers fans, as well as everyone involved in the Lakers organization, has to be thrilled that their superstar has been working so hard to get back to the court. Reports have even surfaced that team president Jim Buss thinks the Black Mamba could be ready in time for preseason.

Woah there … preseason?

Just three months ago we were all questioning whether or not this injury meant the end of Kobe’s career; now there are talks about him coming back months before anyone expected him back. Some say that is just the way Kobe is: a dedicated worker that will stop at nothing to recover from this injury and come back with a vengeance. While no one doubt the Mamba’s work ethic, one can question the speed of his recovery. Is he progressing too fast and rushing getting back to the court? In order for the Lakers to remain remotely competitive this season, it is imperative that Kobe remain healthy throughout the entire season. Some worry that, due to the speed of his recovery, Kobe may not come back 100 percent and, as a result, re-injure his Achilles, putting his season and the remainder of his majestic career in jeopardy. One of these people is Jeanie Buss, executive vice president of business operations for the Lakers, who says that she “wants Kobe to take the time that he needs to get healthy. I don’t want to see him come back any sooner than when he’s ready.”

Kobe knows his body better than anyone else, but that does not mean that he knows the right way to go about recovering from this injury. There is no rushing a Achilles tear, especially the one Kobe suffered. Kobe’s vision to come back as quickly as possible may be getting in the way of the real goal: getting back as quickly as possible but at 100% health. Being back at full health is incredibly important for both Kobe and the team. If he comes back too soon, he runs the risk of re-injuring his ankle and possibly ending his career and at the same time, killing the Lakers’ playoff chances. All Lakers fans wants Kobe back as soon as possible, but not if it means he risks another injury. He’s not getting any younger but that does not mean to rush coming back.

Maybe you should slow down a little, Kobe.