The Los Angeles Lakers announced Friday that Kobe Bryant sustained a significant tear in the rotator cuff in his right shoulder, creating speculation that the superstar will not only miss the remainder of the season, but will also hang up his sneakers for good.
Bryant, who was recently selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game for the 17th time in his career, still has one year left in the two-year, $48.5 million extension he signed in 2013, but the 36-year-old has made it no secret that he might retire after the current season.
Most fans fear that the recent injury will make Bryant's decision to retire easier, but Lakers coach Byron Scott thinks otherwise. The first-year Lakers coach believes Bryant will not let an injury end his illustrious career, and said that the 19-year veteran will recover from another major injury again.
"This is one of the toughest guys I've ever been around as far as dealing with injuries and things like that and being able to come back," Scott said via ESPN. "Everybody said he was done after the Achilles and he came back pretty strong. Knowing him the way I know him, I know he doesn't want to go out this way."
Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol, who played with Bryant for 17 seasons in Los Angeles, had the same take on his former teammate's future. The 34-year-old All-Star expressed belief that Bryant will continue playing despite suffering from his third major injury in less than two years.
"Injuries are a tough break, but he'll continue to go, continue to fight through it," Gasol said of Bryant, who also suffered from torn Achilles tendon and fractured knee in 2013. "He loves the game. He's such a huge competitor. And he's very proud to represent the Lakers. It's the only team he has played for, and he takes pride in that."
The Lakers have yet to announce that Bryant will miss the rest of the season. According to a statement posted on their official website, Dr. Steve Lombardo confirmed that Bryant suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, but the superstar is scheduled to have another test on Monday to determine whether or not he will undergo surgery.
Should the team decide to let Bryant undergo a surgery, the third all-time leading scorer in NBA history will not return to play against this season. Bryant averaged 22.3 points to go along with 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 35 games this season, but the Lakers are currently in 14th place in the Western Conference with their 12-31 record.
