Kobe Bryant: Lakers Superstar Misses Shootaround with Illness Prior to Game 6
The Denver Nuggets eked out a win against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series and may have just caught a big break heading into Game 6.
Kobe Bryant is reportedly missing the shootaround in preparation for tonight’s matchup, according to Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com.
UPDATE: Thursday, May 10 at 9:10 p.m. ET by Eric Ball
As if there was even a doubt, Kobe Bryant will officially be in action tonight against the Denver Nuggets according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports:
"Kobe Bryant will play tonight for the Lakers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) May 11, 2012"
With the opportunity to close out the Nuggets and avoid Game 7, Kobe would have to lose a limb to miss this game.
UPDATE: Thursday, May 10 at 4:05 p.m. ET by Nicholas Goss
According to Yahoo Sports, Kobe Bryant is expected to take part in Game 6 of the Lakers' first round series against the Nuggets Thursday night.
"He plays through everything, so I expect [him to play]," one source close to Bryant said.
Bryant is one of the game's toughest players, and it's going to take a lot for him to miss an important playoff game.
If he does play, it will be interesting to see how his illness affects his aggressiveness and energy at both ends of the floor.
The alleged reasoning behind his absense is gastroenteritis, a medical condition that can result in vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It is better known as the stomach flu and is a condition that has sidelined many an NBA player before.
Los Angeles won’t elaborate on Kobe’s status for tonight’s game, but it certainly could have a severely negative impact on the team if Bryant is forced to the bench.
There is good news, as Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Lakers head coach Mike Brown believes his superstar will suit up and play at the Pepsi Center tonight.
It’s hard to imagine a warrior like Kobe would allow something as simple as the stomach flu to keep him out of a crucial postseason game.
So far this year, a weak ankle, injured wrist, concussion, broken nose and inflamed shin have done little to slow down his relentless pursuit of a sixth ring—one that would tie him with legendary SG Michael Jordan.
Speaking of M.J., one of his most famous performances of all time came when he was afflicted with the stomach flu in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals.
Trainers told him it would be impossible for him to play, but refused to listen. The Chicago Bulls ended up winning and Jordan had 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block.
It added to his legacy, and Kobe will be looking to do the same tonight, as the Lakers attempt to close out the pesky Nuggets on the road in Game 6.
