LA Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Out For Surgery; What Happens To The Team Next?

Kobe Bryant is out due to a shoulder injury, which means bad news for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Yahoo Sports reported that the 36-year-old shooting guard suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder while playing against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 21, 2015. He had to play with his left hand during the fourth quarter. The Lakers lost 96-80 in the end.

The Los Angeles Lakers issued a statement on January 26, 2015, saying that Bryant injured his right shoulder while playing in New Orleans. He was examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and it was confirmed that he had a torn rotator cuff. Dr. ElAttrache advised Bryant to undergo surgery to repair his shoulder and the latter agreed. The surgery was scheduled in the morning of January 28 and the estimated timeline of his return to the court will only be released after the operation.

In another Yahoo Sports report, Bryant was expected to shutdown late in the season, but Lakers coach Byron Scott might have overworked their primary talent too soon by allowing Bryant to keep playing long minutes despite complaining about his shoulder. It would be Kobe's third straight year to have his season prematurely ended due to injury.

ESPN wrote that coach Scott said that Bryant is probably not going to play after surgery. He said that Bryant is tough and they hope that his return will be sooner than later.

Scott said, "I think he's done everything that you can possibly do in this league, and I think at times, we don't appreciate all the stuff that he's been able to accomplish. I don't think we appreciate how tough he is, all the injuries and other things that he's played with, to be able to come back the way that he's come back. I don't see Kobe as the type of guy that wants to leave his legacy on [these] terms. I think he wants to go out on his own terms. We'll just have to wait and see."

In the current NBA season, Bryant averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists. His shooting has been the worst in his career, however, at only 37.3 percent.

The Lakers does not believe that Bryant's career might be over. He still has one more year to play with the Lakers for $25 million. Bryant is known for his stubbornness and strong will as he managed to come back from his two previous injuries, so it is expected of his competitive nature to quit only if it is in his own terms.