any update on its progress?
-
-
No tape for Magic game, but it still seems to bother him.
Bryant puts finger on struggles
ORLANDO, Fla. - Kobe Bryant won't tape his dislocated right pinkie for tonight's game against the Orlando Magic. He will consider skipping the All-Star game if his finger doesn't improve greatly between now and the Feb. 17 contest, however.
Bryant is coming off shooting performances of 4-for-16 in Wednesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks and 3-for-13 in Tuesday's victory over the New Jersey Nets. He was injured reaching for a loose ball in the second quarter against the Nets.
He said he didn't realize the severity of the injury initially. Then he tried to catch a pass and dribble down the court. That's when he looked at his right hand and realized his pinkie was not in its customary spot next to his ring finger.
"It was kind of interesting," Bryant said. "You look at your hand and it's, like, `How is my knuckle all the way down here? This kinda hurts.' I hurt it, then I went and played defense. Then I called for the ball and it's like, `Why is my finger not there?'
"I did a check. It's like, `One, two, three, four."'
Bryant has had a difficult time handling the ball, as evidenced by his poor shooting in the last two games. He also dribbled the ball off his leg on a key possession late in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta, which led to a turnover.
He has undergone around-the-clock treatments since Tuesday's game.
"It's getting better every day," he said. "I won't tape it (tonight), but just sort of play hands free.
It's better each day. But you put your hand on the ball and it feels like the ball is slipping out of your hand. That's what happens when your pinkie is all the way over here. I've just got to get used to that sensation."
Bryant also admitted it might be best for him and the Lakers to skip the All-Star game later this month. He is scheduled to participate in the 3-point shooting contest Feb. 16 and to make his 10th consecutive All-Star appearance in the game the next day.
"We'll have to see how it goes," he said. "You've got to do the right thing."Comment -
On top of things as usual onlooker
Comment -
nice, thanks onlookerComment -
The Lakers are not that good without Bynum. This is the reason for the recent slump. Kobe's finger is the excuse.Comment -
I think most teams could deal with a "slump" like this:
Fri, Feb 1 at Toronto W 121-101
Sun, Feb 3 at Washington W 103-91
Tue, Feb 5 at New Jersey W 105-90
Wed, Feb 6 at Atlanta L 95-98Comment