Mention Paul Pierce to any Lakers fan, and the immediate response will almost assuredly be some sort of expletive or some sort of wheelchair insult. It’s like clockwork.
Late on Sunday night, though, it was the Lakers’ superstar who needed a mobility aid, but Kobe Bryant was smart enough to avoid going the wheelchair route.
Bryant injured his left foot in the fourth quarter of a Lakers loss to New Orleans, bringing the series to a 2-2 tie. The injury happened with 1:32 left in the game when Bryant got caught up and essentially tripped over his own foot. Bryant briefly left the game but immediately re-entered after a timeout, left again 30 seconds later, went back in 16 seconds after that and missed a 3-pointer with four seconds left on the clock.
Despite the obvious pain and discomfort, and despite the crutches, Kobe doesn’t plan on missing any time.
“It’s going to take a lot to stop me from playing,” he said after the game. “I’ve played through so many of them that it kind of becomes old habit.”
The crutches, of course, were precautionary and are standard protocol for an injury, but if a Celtics fan ever wanted to get some payback for the wheelchair jabs, now might be the time. Logic and reason have never gotten in the way of a little trash talk.
Photo of the day
Were the crutches necessary, or was Kobe pulling a Pierce? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Quote of the day
“I’d like to [Rajon Rondo] him play on Minnesota and see how he does.”
–Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, perhaps showing some sour grapes that his team couldn’t compete with the Celtics in a four-game sweep
Tweet of the day
Jim Rice‘s Red Sox Snuggie has mystical powers. It’s undeniable at this point, really.
Video of the day
It’s been more than 24 hours. Has your heartbeat reached a comfortable rate yet?
