Breaking Down Kobe’s First Game Back
- Post By: Jeff Stotts
- Date:
- Category: NBA
Bryant returned to the lineup Sunday with much fanfare after missing the first 19 games of the season recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. The results were not spectacular as the former MVP finished with nine points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and eight turnovers in 28 minutes of action. However watching the game there were several positive takeaways.
To start it’s important to understand what Bryant is attempting to achieve. Bryant suffered a torn Achilles just eight months ago. Very few players in the NBA have returned to a high-level of play following this kind of injury with Dominique Wilkins the one notable exception. The Achilles is the conjoined tendon of multiple muscles in the lower leg, including the gastrocnemius and soleus of the calf. These muscles not only control plantar flexion (pointing the toes) but also play a role in inverting the ankle joint. The Achilles forms the largest moment arm of any muscle in the ankle, meaning it is vital in determining the amount of force generated by any of the attached muscles. It also plays a role in landing, absorbing ground forces following a jump. A limitation due to weakness or tightness can result in improper loading, uneven distribution of force, and even limitation at other joints including the knee.
Given these facts it should be easy to understand just how important the Achilles is and how devastating a ruptured Achilles can be to overcome.
I watched all 28 minutes of Kobe’s debut looking for anything that stuck out. I closely watched his left leg and how effective and comfortable he was utilizing the extremity. Here’s what I saw.
First Quarter 11:18: Raptors Lead 2-0
On Los Angeles’ first offensive position, Bryant threw a jump pass to teammate Robert Sacre for an assist. As he landed from the pass, Bryant’s full weight came done of his surgically repaired left leg. He did not come up limping and look comfortable running back up the court.
First Quarter 10:15 Score Tied 2-2
Kobe’s first shot attempt is a left hook off his left leg. His movement is fluid and he displays nice bend in his leg. This indicates the Achilles and the associated muscles have minimal tightness. Tightness in the solues muscle can result in hyperextension of the knee so again another good sign early on.
First Quarter 8:48 Raptors Lead 6-2
Bryant attempts to take charge from DeMar Derozan. He leads with his right leg but his willingness to absorb the contact is encouraging.
First Quarter 6:50 Raptors Lead 15-4
Coming out of a timeout Kobe attempts his second shot, a 22-foot jumper. His legs look a bit awkward on the shot but he lands on his left leg. No hesitation following the landing.
Kobe would take a breather with 4:56 remaining in the first quarter. His first minutes back were not overly impressive but he moved well on both ends of the court.
He would return with 7:37 left in the second quarter and this is where I was really interested to see just what would occur. How would Kobe respond to sitting? Would the Achilles stiffen up?
Second Quarter 7:21 Raptors Lead 40-33
After a DeRozan miss, Kobe grabs his first rebound of the year. He elevated nicely and secured the ball. Nice bend in his knees on the jump and landing.
Second Quarter 6:27 Raptors Lead 42-35
Kobe drives baseline and is met by DeRozan. In my opinion this is the first play in which Kobe looked hesitant. He had little lift in his legs and his up-and-under attempted was easily sniffed out by DeRozan. I can see the Kobe of old rising up for a dunk on this drive but it never happened. However Kobe does draw the foul and would split the free throws for his first point of the season.
Second Quarter 6:16 Raptors Lead 42-36
Another fluid rebound for Kobe off of another DeRozan miss. Secures the ball in traffic at a respectable height.
Second Quarter 5:16 Raptors Lead 44-38
Bryant’s first made basket comes off an 8-foot jumper that was preceded by a double-pump. He shot with his left hand and came off two-feet for the make.
Second Quarter 2:53 Raptors Lead 48-43
Kyle Lowry launches a three from the corner and Bryant appears a tad slow to close out. There appears to be some miscommunication between Bryant and Meeks. Lowry makes the shot.
Second Quarter 2:17 Raptors Lead 51-43
Novak lines up for a three-pointer and Kobe lunges to contest. Though he left off his left foot the movement is disjointed and awkward. Trey Kerby of NBA TV’s The Starters referred to the play as “kind of men’s league.” I tend to agree.
Second Quarter 2:03 Raptors Lead 51-45
Kobe responds to the awkward play by hitting a 19-foot jumper that has become signature Kobe. He grabs another defensive rebound off of a Lowry miss before turning the ball over. He backpedals into the backcourt without hesitation.
Second Quarter 4.2 seconds left Raptors Lead 51-47
DeRozan blocks Kobe on the final possession of the half. He takes a tumble with his right leg absorbing the majority of the fall.
Third Quarter 11:15 Raptors Lead 51-47
Bryant starts the second half with rebounds on back-to-back Toronto possessions. He meets little resistant on each board and he doesn’t have to jump.
Third Quarter 10:28 Raptors Lead 51-47
Lowry out jumps Bryant for a rebound following a Wesley Johnson miss. Lowry appeared to have a slight edge in position but this is the first time fatigue seems to be playing a factor in Kobe’s play.
Third Quarter 9:34 Raptors Lead 55-47
Kobe grabs an offensive board off of a Steve Blake missed three-pointer. It is another rebound with little lift.
Third Quarter 7:09 Raptors Lead 61-50
Kobe misses a 28-foot three-pointer. It really looks like his legs are tired.
Third Quarter 6:01 Raptors Lead 63-50
DeRozan misses a jumper and Kobe grabs the rebound. He doesn’t jump. He would sub out for the remainder of the quarter 24 seconds later.
Fourth Quarter 6:52 Raptors Lead 88-81
Kobe subs in for Xavier Henry, the Lakers leading scorer. He attempts a long three-pointer a minute later. His legs looked good on the shot.
Fourth Quarter 4:07 Raptors Lead 91-85
DeRozan responds to a pair of Kobe free throws with a three-pointer to build a seven point Raptors lead. Bryant attempts a one-legged runner off of his left foot. He misses and Lowry rebounds.
Fourth Quarter 1:54 Raptors Lead 99-89
Kobe is fouled on a three-pointer. He lands with his weight on his left leg. A good sign this late in the game. He would hit two of three from the foul line.
Kobe would miss another long three-pointer before the final horn sounded.
Overall I liked what I saw from Kobe. He moved on the recovering leg well and didn’t seem to hesitate to utilize it. As the game progressed you could see fatigue coming into play as both his legs looked heavy. However the majority of his struggles did not seem to stem from his legs but instead trying too hard to fit in with his new teammates and basic timing issues that naturally occur with an eight month layoff. As he returns to the appropriate physical shape needed to play a NBA game at a high level, I fully expect Bryant’s timing to return.
The key for Bryant remains a full functional recovery. While the symptoms associated to the surgery and rehab may subside, functional recovery is progressively completed as he continues to play. He’s clearly not there yet as evident by the noticeable atrophy in his left leg. However the early returns on Bryant appear positive and that has to be encouraging for the Lakers and their fans.