Long time no talk buddy.....Jerry Rice was already 35 years old when that injury happend. He worked his ass off to come back later that season but rushed it way too soon. When you say he was never the same, I disagree. It's not fair to compare Rice after that injury to his previous standard and his prime years. The year after, it was obvious the 49er offense was going through a prime T.O. in the passing game. When Rice came to Oakland, he was still banging out 1000 yard seasons at ages 38,39,and 40 years old, which is INSANE. So in my mind, he came back as best as he could've at that stage of his career. So take it easy on Mr. Rice....lol(my favorite player of all time)
As far as Kobe....he's toast. I don't doubt his determination but the tread on those tires are shot. He's going to be highly injury-prone for the remainder of his career. The lakers aern't contending anytime soon. Trade Pau, tank the season, and draft a lottery pick from the upcoming talent-laden draft.
Welcome back to the land of the living.
Good points about Rice. He wasn't dominant after his injury, but he was still very good. That broken kneecap was a freak injury, but I wonder if it was a byproduct of his knee injury (just an overall weakness in knee). Have the same concern about Kobe.
I'm not ready to play taps for Kobe just yet. He's unlike most every athletes I've watched the past twenty years or more. If anyone can do it, it's him. He's in that Payton, Sanders, Rice mold when it comes to training, offseason work, dedication, etc.
Poor Pau has been on the block for like three years now. His trade value is incredibly low. They should have traded him for Love back when Minnesota proposed that trade. Kupchak whiffed badly on that one.
But this week's rumor is LA is trying to trade Pau for "an athletic 4" who can fit D'Antoni's system. That would be suicide IMO. D'Antoni needs to be fired.
