TORONTO — Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo came to the defense of Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni yesterday in the wake of the torn Achilles tendon Kobe Bryant suffered Friday night after playing heavy minutes in recent weeks.
“It’s an unfortunate thing,” Carlesimo said. “I think the bigger thing, the one that really hurts, is late in the game. That’s the one you agonize over. How big a lead is a safe lead, when do you get guys off the floor? … That’s the one you really can’t afford to have people in there when it’s unnecessary.
“When you’re playing for a playoff position, and in particular you’re playing a guy that would play 48 minutes if you’d let him, I think there’s been a lot of unfair commentary directed towards Mike. The only way you get Kobe off the floor is if you pull him off the floor.”
D’Antoni has come under criticism from many observers for the way he allowed Bryant to play an incredibly high amount of minutes in recent weeks as the Lakers try to scrape into the Western Conference playoffs. Bryant’s trainer, Tim Grover, and others, however, have discounted the minutes load as a reason for the injury. With Friday’s win, the Lakers maintained a one-game lead over the Jazz — who own the tie-breaker — for the final spot in the West.
“It’s tough,” said Deron Williams, who has played with Bryant on the last two Olympic teams. “You don’t want to see anyone go down with an Achilles injury. It’s a tough one, and it takes a long time to come back. I just wish him well, and a speedy recovery.”
Carlesimo also highlighted Bryant’s loss to the league, an immeasurable one given his impact on the NBA during his 17-year career.
“It’s just very, very unfortunate for them, and him, playing as well as he’s been,” Carlesimo said. “It’s bad for [the NBA], because he’s one of the best players in the game, so that will detract a little bit from the playoffs if L.A. is in.
“It’s just what we’re dealing with right now. If you shut somebody down, don’t play them at all, it probably increases their chances of getting hurt the same way. Unfortunately it’s part of the game, but you don’t try and put them out there when it’s warranted.
“I think it was warranted in that case.”