Kareem talks Kobe, Lakers
By Ryan Donoho
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. He is a legend in LA, and even has a statue outside Staples Center. Basically everyone has chimed in on the Lakers’ situation, and how they are “rebuilding,” and now Kareem has thrown in his 2 cents. In an interview on CBS Sports Radio, Kareem weighed in (via Eye On Basketball):
"“It’s a rebuilding year for them because Kobe has been hurting and he has a very devastating type of injury,” Abdul-Jabbar said in a recorded interview airing Thursday between 6-7 a.m. ET on CBS Sports Radio’s morning show with Tiki Barber, Brandon Tierney and Dana Jacobson. “I don’t think he will be able to come back as quickly and completely as he would like. It’s gonna be tough on the Lakers this year.”“When Kobe does come back, it’s gonna be a different Kobe and that will definitely effect the outcome for the Lakers long-term,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “… It’s gonna be a test for him this year, absolutely.”"
No one knows what’s going to happen with Kobe Bryant coming off of his Achilles injury, but I wouldn’t bet against him. Most humans would struggle with this, but Kobe isn’t most humans. The guy is an animal, and if he comes back at full strength no one should be surprised. As for the Lakers? I think they will be better than most people think, and I ranked them 17th in my first power rankings.