Championship Shit

For Bryant, the sacrifice for success could well be visible for the rest of his career in the form of something that is not another championship ring to go around his finger.

He might never play again without wearing support for his damaged right index finger.

The middle knuckle on that critical finger on Bryant’s shooting hand is so debilitated by arthritis after the past season of misuse and overuse that there may be no real way to fix it. Bryant will consult with specialists in July to figure out his options, but arthritis is not a problem that can just be cleaned up with arthroscopic surgery or wished away with a little rest.

Bryant suffered an avulsion fracture in two places near the tip of the finger on Dec. 11 as he tried to field a low Jordan Farmar pass. Bryant kept playing despite a projection of needing at least six weeks to heal – and he played pretty well. He was the Western Conference Player of the Month for December.

He wound up also the NBA Finals MVP, and he got there by refashioning his shooting stroke to put more pressure on the ball with his thumb and middle finger – trying to use the splinted index finger only as a guide. With the help of Lakers assistant coach Chuck Person, Bryant retooled his entire follow-through.

Source

Haters won't want to give him credit but that's championship shit right there. For a scorer/shooter putting that finger at risk for a title is the exactly the same thing as putting their career at risk for a title. And remember this guy already had 4 rings. Coulda shut it down and tried next year but he wanted it NOW. I still wouldn't kick it with him at the club and he wouldn't be my road dawg but he puts in work on the court. Period. Recognize.

Did I mention that I'm a longtime Lakers fan? :)