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Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter Injury Scenarios Surprisingly Similar

Evan Budrovich |
April 16, 2013 | 11:41 p.m. PDT

Staff Writer

Bryant has stayed positive in light of the current circumstances. (Wikimedia Commons)
Bryant has stayed positive in light of the current circumstances. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a major blow to their playoff aspirations and, more importantly, to the future of their organization, as Kobe Bryant hit the floor in the final minutes of last Friday's victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Kobe did what the best always do: play through the pain while simultaneously carrying the team towards victory in overwhelming circumstances. While Stephen Curry was scoring 47 points and nailing three-point shots left and right in what seemed would be the nail in the Lakers' playoff coffin, Bryant took the challenge as one would expect, posting a seemless 34 points, five rebounds and four assists, deep into the fourth quarter.

Then, in the final three minutes of the game, Bryant drove past Harrison Barnes, before falling to the ground with a torn Achilles, as Mamba was in the process of grinding out another 48-minute effort. Watching Kobe grind out a season full of lofty expectations and disappointing finishes has gutted sports fans, Lakers Nation and of course, the five-time champ.

The season is essentially over in terms of winning championships for this current group of Lakers, the antithesis of the Dr. Buss-inspired ShowTime Lakers that erected the sights and sounds of Staples Center to house such promise. The sports world has seen its fair share of troublesome injuries, including the recent separated tibia Kevin Ware suffered, but watching the legend hit the floor, return to make two crucial free throws and then leave in agony was gut-wrentching in a totally different manner.

The Twitter world has supported its fallen star with #PrayforKobe roaming the streets as players, coaches and fans dread the loss of the five-time champion from the upcoming 2013 NBA Playoffs. That being said, the Mamba is not counting out a speedy recovery to the star-studded court at Staples.

Random tears of devastation and doubt mixed with inner determination and will #countonfamily #countonprayer THANKU #vicodintweets comin ha!

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant), April 13, 2013

PAIN IS TEMPORARY, PRIDE IS FOREVER

Although Kobe's loss is devastating this season, it will not defeat the man who transcends toughness, tenacity and resilience in the sport of basketball. An endeavor similar to that of the king of New York in Derek Jeter, who has equally shared aches and pains down the long journey of dominance.

Bryant lives for the difficult moments, for the chance to outshine Jordan and surpass the elite six titles the great one collected. Playing under Phil Jackson motivated Bryant, but playing for rings drove him to new heights. Over the last three seasons, no player experienced more pain, but looked so strong in the process. Bad knees, soar legs, shooting wrist problems and back pain would not stop the Mamba from putting up tremendous numbers on a nightly basis. 

This compares to the long road the five-time champion Derek Jeter has traveled in crafting the most recent baseball dynasty with the New York Yankees. Jeter suffered a gruesome injury of his own in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers. The injury deflated the Yankees' postseason run, leading to a four-game sweep at the hands of those pesky Tigers. Jeter was once again showcasing his excellence in his 18th MLB Season (.316 BA, 15 HRs, 58 RBIs) before getting injured.

The 38-year-old played in 159 games last season, his most since 2005, carrying the Yankees to the top record in the American League. Jeter was playing his best baseball in the season's final months, finishing seventh in the AL MVP voting in 2012. Jeter has had some of his best seasons near the end of his career, as the 18-year veteran has used his savvy, timing and experience to perfect the craft of shortstop under the brighest lights of baseball.

MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND

Bryant and Jeter get paid like the superstars they truly are, but each take different marks in the sports that are defined by big spending. Basketball is on a tight luxury tax system, one that highly discourages teams from investing millions over the cap to sign the best players. That is, unless you are the Lakers, of course, who fly way over the $58-million cap.

Bryant makes over $27 million this season according to HoopsWorld, with an increase set to pay the Mamba over $30 million in his final season under contract. While discussion of amnesty remains in play, the fact remains that Kobe makes over half the amount of money the team can dish out to stay under the salary cap.

Yet when you ask Lakers fans, they will tell you Kobe is worth every penny. A true testament to Mamba's pedigree and intensity on both ends of the court and in the leadership role for the Lakers.

Jeter plays for the Bronx Bombers, a team where money is only a value, with no real limit throughout his career in pinstripes. Jeter currently makes $17 million per year, but is sufficiently goes over the top in advertising revenue. Both players are starting to get hit harder by the change in their sports, as the Yankees and Lakers are looking to cut excess spending to stay relevant and competitive in the ever-changing, price-savvy landscape. 

THESE MEN JUST WIN BABY

In terms of winning, both players set the standard for their respective sports. Bryant’s death stare, especially come playoff time, has led his Lakers to five world championships through his 17 NBA seasons. Mamba epitomizes the champion's will to win, as he always comes up best when the game matters most.

Jeter is Mr. November for a reason, as he has led the Yankees to five World Series championships, while also being a critical figure in two other trips to the promised land. The captain has played his best baseball in the playoffs, carrying his teams with a .308 career postseason batting average, while also improving those numbers (.312) in World Series play.

This discussion could go back and forth, as both players have cemented their legacy in the playoffs (think the Oakland thriller in 2001 for Jeter or Kobe’s gut-wrenching run in the 2010 Finals against the Celtics, for example). When you think of success, the first name that comes to mind is Kobe Bean Bryant, dominating fourth quarters for nearly a decade. Derek Jeter hits in the clutch with a sense of composure that brings chills to his adversaries. 

The bright moment brings out the best in each player, as these men were built for the long haul. When Kobe was not a part of the Los Angeles Lakers, his teams could never seal the deal, as even a battered up Bryant could lead a team to a playoff victory (i.e. vs. Boston). Jeter relishes the big moments and continues to dominate postseason baseball with so much success that the headlines switch to A-Rod, Cano and Teixeira for recent playoff flounderings. 

IMPACT ON THEIR CITIES

When Jeter went down with an injury in the 2012 playoffs and Kobe just before the 2013 playoffs, both sports towns were devastated after losing their heartfelt leaders. The Lakers and Yankees are two of the top organizations in terms of championships and arguably rule their respective coasts in popularity and success.

New York lives and dies with its Yankees, a team that's missed the playoffs only once in Jeter’s entire 16-year career. The ball club may be losing numbers in the seats this season, but do not underestimate the passion the New Yorkers have for the Yankees when Derek Jeter is patrolling the left side of the infield.

Jeter is expected to return at some point this summer. (Wikimedia Commons)
Jeter is expected to return at some point this summer. (Wikimedia Commons)
Los Angeles is a town full of stars, whether it be on the court, in the movies or at the clubs. Despite the star-studded streets and glamour, Kobe Bryant has become the biggest name in the city, as a steady force in Los Angeles for nearly two decades. The Lakers are the class of basketball with Kobe Bryant sitting as the figure head of this current run of success brining home five titles in the 21st century.

STRIKING SIMILARITY 

Derek Jeter continues to be unable to play in rehab games at the minor-league level, as the glorious shortstop makes a slow recovery back from his devastating injury last October. Kobe Bryant looks to be out for at least the next six months, but is showing no sign of missing any time next season as the Mamba contemplates his full retirement at the end of the 2013-14 season, when his contract expires.

Either way, both these players' injuries have had similar impacts on their teams, towns and professional sports as Jeter andBryant are synonymous with everything baseball, basketball and of course, winning. 

While Jeter will most certaintly return for the Yankees sometime this summer, the championship aura of this organization is fading by the wayside. An older lineup, with injuries across the board and a loaded division have kept fans out of the seats. The team has recovered in his absence, but boy, do they miss the smooth footwork and clutch hitting that Jeter provides at the top of the order for the beloved Yankees.

Bryant continues to tweet positive words of support for his teammates, who now control their own destiny, with nothing sort of a seemingly impossible task heading their direction. The Lakers are stricken by cap concerns, and are starting to move in a new direction under the ownership of Jim Buss. The next few months will be revealing as this team could either power forward with Mamba or look to cut cash and start new, which would definitely ruffle some feathers in Los Angeles. 

Reach Staff Writer Evan Budrovich here, or follow him on Twitter.



 

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