Kobe Bryant: Season Over, Set to Have Surgery

Photo Credit: AP – Jonathan Bachman

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. The 36-year-old and future hall-of-famer found out last weekend that he has a torn rotator cuff and has come to grips that his season is most likely over.

On January 21st, against the New Orleans Pelicans, Kobe aggravated a lingering shoulder injury on a typical dunk and drive.  Lakers coach Byron Scott spoke on the timetable of Kobe’s return,”Kobe is probably not going to play” [for rest of this season] Scott said.  “We all know how tough he is, He’s a trooper, so we pray for him that his return will be sooner rather than later.”

Source: Harry How/Getty Images

Over the past month, Bryant has sat out eight games as well as playing on a minute restriction for rest and to tend to his aches and injuries.

This will be Kobe’s third straight season-ending injury after acareer where he has played with injuries and rarely sat out games.  The five-time champ will enter his 20th season next year with a torn achilles, a broken bone in his left knee,  and a torn rotator cuff as injuries over the last three years.

Bryant has averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in just 35 games this season, but has shot a terrible 37.3 percent from the floor.

As for the Lakers, they have lost eight straight as they play Washington tonight and look forward to guard Nick Young shooting more than ever before for the rest of the season. So, give him the ball and get out of the way!