For Lakers fans, an ailing Kobe Bryant has plagued the last two seasons. The reoccurring injury has been the ankle or foot region. In April last year, he said he was concerned about the foot. “I’m concerned, as I am about any injury, but I’ve played through so many of them it kind of becomes old hat for me” he told news at the time.

Bryant, however, has differentiated his injuries between his foot and ankle. “It’s more my foot. It’s not really my ankle. It’s my foot … I don’t really hurt that too often, so, it’s a little different for me….
It’s sore.

A year earlier, it was his ankle. Prior to the 2010 All Star Game, Phil Jackson explained Kobe’s ankle problems plaguing the season. “It’s really up to [Bryant]. If he feels like he can play, he can play. He doesn’t want to miss any games that he doesn’t have to miss, and that’s a pretty natural thing.” He added “He feels like it’s his responsibility [to play] being the leader of this team, and I agree with him there. There’s a certain responsibility to play, but if he can’t play, he’ll know.”