Kobe Bryant Injury: Why Black Mamba's Smartest Move Is Resting His Wrist

Kobe Bryant is not himself. He has always been a player with a relatively high amount of turnovers, but this year his miscue numbers have been even higher.

Through six games, Bryant is averaging 4.7 turnovers per game, that would be the highest total of his career. The last time Bryant averaged four turnovers per game was 2004-05. Ironically, he played in 66 games that season, which is also the total number of games this truncated season is set for. In addition, Kobe was saddled with the aftermath of the Colorado sexual assault drama.

Through the issues, Kobe played on, but his production dropped that year. Though he was second in the NBA in scoring, he dropped off the NBA's All-Defensive team, and dropped to third team All-NBA. Sadly, it seems amidst his physical and personal issues (divorce) he is headed down the same path this year.

Bryant is taking pain injections in his wrist to get through games.

He needs to rest his injury. It seems he fears that the team will waste away if he doesn't play. He may be right, the Lakers could very well miss the playoffs if he misses an extended period of time. Believe it or not, that's OK. The Lakers are not a championship level team with Bryant right now.

It is true, they are still getting acquainted to their new coaching system, but they desperately miss Lamar Odom's versatility and Derek Fisher has finally regressed defensively to the point that the Lakers can no longer hide him. Kobe at 85 percent is just not enough for this team to win at the level they expect.

It is feasible that Bryant also doesn't want to just sit and have to deal head on with the drama of his divorce. Staying occupied is often the chosen therapy of professionally driven people like Bryant. If he rests, the issues at home will almost certainly take center stage.

Still, resting is the best option for Bryant. He can preserve another year of wear on his 33-year-old legs. It will also give him an opportunity to see which direction the team is headed. Will the Lakers be able to acquire Dwight Howard now, or through free agency?

If they have to wait until the offseason, that is even better for Bryant. He can rest the entire year, or whats left of it, come back at full strength with Howard potentially joining the team through free-agency. In addition, the Lakers could miss the playoffs, that would mean a better draft pick for the team as well.

If that scenario doesn't take place, then Bryant may chose to request a trade, though he may find it hard to find suitors.

At this stage in Kobe's career, he must maximize his remaining years. It is a waste to play under his current mental and physical conditions for a team that isn't likely to win a title.