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Kobe Bryant goes on a Facebook rant, vowing to return while still casting doubts about rehab

Kelly Dwyer

Early Saturday morning – early, EARLY Saturday morning – Kobe Bryant took to his Facebook page to vent frustration in the wake of the likely Achilles tear that he suffered in a game against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. Kobe, who appeared calm and resigned to his fate while talking to the press immediately after the Laker win, admitted to be a bit woozy due to the pain pills prescribed after an incredibly painful injury.

Important to remember, when you take in Bryant’s over the edge frustration at his career-threatening injury. This is a guy on pills, and he’s still rightfully ticked beyond belief. Here’s a snippet:

This is such BS! All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??

I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not! It's 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I'm wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what's the purpose of social media if I won't bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.

One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.

"If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear". Ive always loved that quote. Thats "mamba mentality" we don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run. We endure and conquer.

I know it's a long post but I'm Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.

Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.

Mamba Out

Patience has never been Kobe Bryant’s strong suit, and now here is a man who is facing down a rehabilitation that could last throughout the 2013-14 season. And just hours after his injury, with two more regular season contests and a likely postseason to watch from the sidelines, Bryant can barely keep his frustration in check. It’s telling, to say the very least.

NBA players have returned from Achilles injuries in the past, with Dominique Wilkins, Elton Brand, and Chauncey Billups as its most recent notable examples, but none of these players returned to anywhere near their pre-injury level. Billups returned after a nine-month rehab earlier in 2012-13, but the veteran has been dealing with all manner of injury concerns in his comeback season. Isiah Thomas, at around the same age as Bryant, retired due to an Achilles tear.

Kobe will not be daunted, but after 17 seasons in the NBA and over 54,000 combined regular and postseason minutes under his belt, he will be facing down a formidable task if the MRI confirms the Laker suspicions. Further clouding the outlook is his free agent status – Bryant’s contract expires during the 2014 offseason, he’s given no clear answer as to whether or not he’d prefer to play on beyond that deal, and for months rumors have swirled around Los Angeles as to their potential interest in LeBron James as a free agent pickup during that summer. Los Angeles would have to completely cut ties with Bryant in order to sign James to the salary his MVP status typically earns.

This is Kobe Bryant, though.

This is the man who gave Los Angeles Laker fans something to lean on while Dwight Howard sulked, Mike D’Antoni fumed, Pau Gasol limped, and Steve Nash watched in street clothes from the sideline. After two shot-happy years in the wilderness between 2010 and 2012, he returned this season at age 34 to provide an efficient, reliable offensive game on knees that went pro during the Clinton Administration. Kobe Bryant doesn’t go out on a locally-televised game on a Friday night against Golden freakin’ State. Kobe Bryant goes out after you call security (and their backups) to show him the door. If then, even.

He’s human, apparently. So what? He’s also Kobe Bryant. He’ll be back.