No Kobe, No Problem

With Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant battling injuries all season long, the star guard has decided it's time to get some rest. Having already suffered both finger and back injuries this season, his latest injury is the one that has kept him sidelined the past three games. During last week's game against the visiting Charlotte Bobcats, Kobe was seen grabbing his ankle after teammate Lamar Odom came down on Bryant's foot. Kobe was unable to finish the game and made his way to the locker room where he received treatment. The aggravated left ankle was first sprained two weeks ago in a match against the Philadelphia 76ers. Kobe's last game came in a loss to Denver in which he registered 33 points to go along with 9 rebounds. To make matters worse, the team has also been without it's star center- Andrew Bynum who is treating a bruised right hip.

However, even without two of it's key components, the team has performed well enough to win all three games since the injuries occurred. One of them including a win against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Rose Garden. Something Kobe hasn't accomplished in his last nine tries, dating back to the 2005 season. Even though it's only been three games, the Lakers have shown just how much depth the team truly has. Both Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic have contributed well when needed & although the team may not be 100% stoked, they have to be the least bit happy that they've been able to prove they can compete even without the league's best player.

Missing three games due to injury midway through the season might not be the biggest news, but for Kobe it means headlines. The 2007-08 NBA MVP hasn't missed a game since March 7th of 2007 when he served a suspension. But if you want to know the last game Kobe missed with an injury, you would have to go back to December 8th of 2006. The biggest bummer regarding the injury, is that it will keep Bryant from participating in this year's NBA All-Star Game. The event that is taking place this weekend isn't just your normal All-Star Game. In fact, it's projected to be the biggest All-Star Game to ever be played. The choice of venue is that none other than the newly built Cowboys Stadium which opened it's doors this past NFL season. The arena seats 80,000 fans and includes the world's largest high-definition television screen hoisted above the playing field (in this case, court).

You would think Kobe, the defending All-Star co-MVP (also shared by Shaquille O'Neal) wouldn't miss the game for anything in the world, but at the same time you have to respect the decision made by Bryant, granted, trying to win back-to-back NBA tittles might be just a little bit more important than an exhibition game for the fans. His absence also means we'll have to wait another year to see if Kobe can tie the record for the most All-Star Game MVP's (4), Bryant currently has 3. Now that Kobe's ASG status is official, it'll be interesting to see if he still comes out for a cameo during the Sprite Slam Dunk contest. Laker guard and fellow teammate Shannon Brown has said in a recent interview that Kobe was going to help assist the Slam-Dunk participant in this year's event.

Taking the place of Bryant on the Western Conference All-Star roster, will be Dallas' very own - Jason Kidd. Also making the news is 76ers guard Allen Iverson. Iverson who was voted on by the fans and named to the roster for the Eastern Conference All-Star squad, is scheduled to miss the game due to "personal reasons." But if you ask me, I think those "personal reasons" are actually Iverson coming to terms with reality. The All-Star game has been better known as a popularity contest, and is the exact reason why A.I. is ahead of the competition in terms of fans voting. Not to mention, the playing time Iverson missed this season. Iverson has been one of the league's best players in this past decade, but it's almost clear that his better days are well behind him. Stepping in for the former Rookie of the Year and NBA MVP, is New York Knicks center - David Lee. Lee, a well deserved All-Star candidate has recorded 30 double-doubles on the season and will be making his first NBA All-Star appearance. For Kidd, this year's ASG will be his 10th.