#BlueSportsPodcast Show 16

Join us this week as we talk about NBA All-Star Weekend, NBA trade deadline and the MLB Hall of Fame.. Click the link below!

https://soundcloud.com/crodillfx/blue-collar-sports-show-16

What's next for Kobe and the Lakers?

Its off to a second straight disappointing Lakers season and for the third straight year Kobe Bryant has suffered another season ending injury. He is sidelined with rotator cuff surgery. The good news is, its the least serious injury of the previous two. The media is already asking the question, "should Kobe just retire". In some respect its a fair question, he's ancient in basketball years and once again having season ending surgery. They are not factoring in one thing, his will.

 

Lakers said it would be a 9 month recovery time, which I disagree with. I had the same surgery in college while playing baseball; I was pitching 7 months later. Now I know what you are thinking, I was in college and only 18, while Kobe is 36 with a ton of mileage on him. As a pitcher, your shoulder and elbow are the two most important things in the world. Rotator cuff surgery can be devastating for a pitcher but for a basketball player its different. Part of my rehab, when getting back into shape for the upcoming baseball season, was working out with some of the college basketball players doing drills: sprinting, jumping, shooting. I was doing these drills 4 months after my surgery, shooting never bothered my shoulder. That's why I disagree with the 9 month recovery time.

 

Kobe Bryant will have the best doctors in the world working with him 24/7. He's already in better shape than I ever was and a lot more disciplined. He will be game ready with in 6 months. Mark my words. 

 

The retirement talk needs to stop. He is obviously still motivated to win and win now. He's currently recruiting the best free agents possible for the Lakers, ensuring that even when he does retire, he will still be playing a major role for the franchise. 

As for next season, Kobe is one of 4 players on the payroll the will be returning to the purple and gold. With $30+ million in cap space, the return of Julius Randle, the development of players like Clarkson, another top lottery pick, solid role players like Jordan Hill, Nick Young and the final run for Kobe Bryant; being the next face of the Lakers will be a job that is in high demand.

 

Los Angeles is the best city in the world with the best basketball sports franchise in the United States. The expectations are high for the new faces of the Lakers who will be playing for a top tier franchise. I hope they will embrace the role as giants like Kobe and Magic Johnson have. Being part of the Lakers makes your career that much better, now and after retirement.

#BlueCollarSports Podcast Show 14

Check out this week's newest podcast as discuss the exciting Super Bowl, the legacy of Tom Brady. We also dive into the craziness of the NBA playoff race and the return of the Spider, Anderson Silva. Click the link below to listen!

https://soundcloud.com/crodillfx/blue-collar-sports-show-14