Lakers Rumors: Fans Should Be Worried About Kobe Bryant's Wrist Issues

If the fans of the Los Angeles Lakers were not already getting nervous about this season, a recent report coming out of TMZ.com should have them biting at their nails.

According to the gossip website, Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant has been receiving pain reducing shots in his injured right wrist.

The Lakers have already hit a bump in the road this season, as both Josh McRoberts and Pau Gasol have been affected by injuries. While Gasol isn't seriously injured, his shoulder pain should make people cautious just in case something more develops.

With Bryant getting pain relieving injections, there is reason to be worried about the long-term durability of the 13-time All-Star. The Lakers have only played six games so far this season, but Bryant is taking about a quarter of the team's shots per game.

He will gain some relief from center Andrew Bynum returning from suspension, but there is no fighting what could be a potential season ending injury if Bryant overdoes it on his shooting wrist—something that could be becoming evident after his shooting woes against the Denver Nuggets in the last two games.

Against the Nuggets in back-to-back games, Bryant shot miserably. In both games combined, the Black Mamba shot 12-for-46 from the field. That comes out to a mere 26 percent, which is not typical of Kobe. Is it a sign of things to come, or was it a just a bad string of games?

Only time will tell, but for now, many can speculate that Bryant's wrist injuries are getting worse. If things continue to follow this path, who knows how much longer the Lakers will be able to keep him on the floor?

Head coach Mike Brown doesn't seem to think there is a problem, as he agreed with Bryant that the guard will not be shooting any less despite his accuracy woes. 

What fans should be worried about is that Kobe vows to keep shooting as much as he has been. While the Lakers need his scoring, he could become a risk if his woes continue.

The Lakers are standing at 3-3, so it isn't time to start worrying about the way this season will go. At this point in time, though, the Lakers are only scoring 92.4 points per game, and that number can really take a turn down south if Bryant continues to struggle.

It is too early on in the season to compare his numbers to previous seasons, but there is no doubt that many will speculate on how much longer the team can rely on him night-in and night-out to put up the shots that they are used to.

Worst case scenario, Bryant's wrist woes become even worse, and he perhaps will not be able to even hit the court. If that were to happen, it would really hurt the Lakers' already tough road ahead.

If Bryant continues to struggle, it may be time for him to take some time off and wait for his wrist to fully heal. While it may hurt the Lakers in the short-run, it should payoff in the long run.