The NBA is one of the most grueling leagues in the world, with 82 regular season games, many back-to-back nights, and long away trips. Then the intensity explodes during the playoffs. The long NBA schedule takes a toll on the players. The NBA has been looking to shorten the regular season for some time now. However, something has yet to materialize.

On the other hand, the players and the teams take multiple steps to keep their stars from injury during the regular season, including sitting out some games. However, NBA legend Kobe Bryant is not a fan of that. Throughout his career, the Los Angeles Lakers legend suffered many painful injuries. But he played through his injuries at times.

Kobe Bryant did not want to disappoint the fans

After Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in 2020, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. During the ceremony, Kobe’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, gave an emotional enshrinement speech. During her speech, Vanessa revealed Bryant’s willingness to play through injuries. She stated the five-time NBA champion wanted to play through injuries because he wanted to please the fans who saved up to watch him play at least once. Vanessa recounted, “I remember asking him why he couldn’t just sit a game out because he was hurting. He said, ‘what about the fans that saved up to watch me play just once.'” As this statement was recently shared on social media, fans shared heartfelt messages about the Black Mamba. Here are some reactions:

Most fans lauded Bryant’s mindset and how much he cares about the fans. However, some felt that playing through injuries hampered his abilities during the tail end of his career. On the other hand, many compared Kobe’s mindset to the current generation of players and criticized them for sitting out games.

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Vanessa also noted that Bryant remembered how excited he was when he was a kid going to games with his father to watch his favorite players play. So he wanted to please the young fans eager to see him on the hardwood.

Bryant beat all odds

Kobe Bryant suffered his most brutal injury at the end of the 2012-13 season. At 34, he was still one of the best players in the league and was performing at the highest level when he tore his Achilles tendon.

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Achilles tendon injuries are considered career-ending injuries for basketball players. Furthermore, given the 2008 NBA MVP’s age, many thought he would just retire. However, he once again proved everyone wrong, came back stronger and played two more seasons before retiring in 2016.