NBA Playoffs 2011: Will Kobe Bryant's Mounting Injuries Cost Him Later?

The last couple of seasons, Kobe Bryant has had his share of injuries. Whether it’s his finger, knee, foot or ankle, Bryant has managed to keep fans on pins and needles with his aging body.

With all of these mounting injuries, should fans be concerned about Bryant's health going forward?

Here are five reasons why fans should just take a deep breath and save the worrying for something else.

5. Could a Lockout Be Beneficial to Kobe Bryant's Health?

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: NBA Commissioner David Stern addresses the media before the start of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

I speak for every basketball fan when I say a new CBA should be agreed upon as quickly as possible.

A season without basketball is like a day without water.

However, the extra time would allow Bryant to heal all those sore body parts.

4. The Media Makes a Mountain out of a Molehill

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EL SEGUNDO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to reporters during a news conference during Media Day at the Toyota Center on September 25, 2010 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

Since Kobe Bryant is considered Los Angeles’ golden child, whenever he is banged or bruised, it is analyzed and talked about endlessly.

I am not saying his injuries are not worrisome or newsworthy, but the media could be blowing some of them out of proportion.

3. Kobe Bryant Is Getting Older

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts from the bench at the end of the first quarter while taking on the New Orleans Hornets in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26,

The collection of injuries Bryant has acquired the last few seasons would be much more worrisome if it were happening five or six years ago.

On the other hand, the injuries Bryant has accumulated the last couple of seasons can be considered par for the course at this stage in his career.

2. The Lakers Will Eventually Start Planning for the Future

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to shoot over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets in the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011 at

Obviously, a more serious injury to Kobe in the near future would greatly hamper the Lakers’ chances of winning.

As strange as it may seem, Kobe will not always be the top dog in Los Angeles. The Lakers are a veteran team, with Andrew Bynum as the only building block going forward.

If Bryant plans to play many more years with the Lakers, he will eventually have to take a Robin role to someone else’s Batman (Dwight Howard?).

The Lakers are a franchise that has never been short of elite talent. Don’t expect this to change as Kobe heads into the twilight of his career.

1. Kobe Bryant Is the Ultimate Competitor

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 28: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during play against the New Orleans Hornets in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2011 at New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, L

Granted, Kobe is getting older, and he does not quite have the abilities he used to. However, fans are hard pressed to find a player who takes care of himself the way Kobe does.

Also, Bryant is the ultimate competitor. Despite all of the nagging injuries the last few seasons, he has only missed a handful of games.

His work ethic and heart allow him to play through more injuries than the average NBA player.