Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant shows sympathy with James Harden – NBA Update
In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Lakers All-Star guard, Kobe Bryant related to the pain which James Harden must be going through at the moment.
Bryant was hinting to the concussion he suffered after getting his nose broken at the hands of Dwyane Wade during the All-Star game this season. The Black Mamba had to wear a protective mask on his face to be able to play for the
next several games.
At the practice facility of El Segundo, Kobe expressed concern about Harden who was shoved to the ground by the notorious Metta World Peace, Kobe’s teammate.
"It's a bear," Bryant said after practice Tuesday , "You have to live pretty much in hibernation, lights off, TV off, the whole thing. It's crazy."
The incident happened in a recent meeting between the Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder which had to be decided after a double over time. Lakers won that matchup with a score of 120-114 courtesy of a gutsy performance by Bryant
and company in the second half.
However the particular incident that stood out was Metta World Piece`s barbaric elbow to Harden`s face. The strongest contender for the Sixth Man of the Year was left clutching his face on the floor as MWP decided to display some
boxing poses infront of reaching OKC players.
Harden had to leave the game immediately and despite returning to the bench in the second half, had to be taken back to the locker room to undergo concussion tests.
Bryant did not go on to defend his team-mate and admitted to having seen the replay himself. However he did emphasize the fact that he cannot be sure of what must be going through Metta`s head at that particular moment.
"I saw what you guys saw." – Bryant Said
The severity of the two injuries does seem to be a little different as Kobe was able to make a healthy return to court time action quickly. However for Harden, who missed out OKC`s match against the Sacramento Kings last night,
an immediate return looks bleak at the moment.
He did practice around with the team on Tuesday but still has to undergo all the formal tests required by the NBA. Bryant was happy on Harden’s quick recovery;
"James from what I hear is OK," Bryant said. "That's really the important thing that nothing serious happened."
As per the current policy of the NBA, they require the player in concern to undergo a series of tests which include, neurological tests, physical and basketball exams before being declared fit to play.
In the aftermath to the incident, NBA has slapped Metta-World Peace with a 7 game ban, ruling him out for the last game against Sacramento Kings and for most of the first round of the playoffs.
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