The Lakers limp home tied with Utah 2-2

The Lakers limped back to Los Angeles after losing Sunday in Utah 123-115 in overtime. Fans got a glimpse of what Kobe Bryant will look like if he stays in the league until he's 45 years old. Kobe tweaked a back muscle early in the game and couldn't play the game the way he normally does. He shot multiple air-balls, couldn't get back on defense and didn't have any lift when he jumped. After receiving numerous emails and phone calls, one question was heard over and over. Why didn't Phil Jackson take Kobe out of the game? The reason is, you can't. Kobe didn't want to come out of the game. When someone is a fighter and the leader of your team, you let them play, even if they are not at 100%. When you have the world MVP and he says he wants to play, you have to let him play. This is not Kwame Brown saying "I can do it coach." This is the heart and soul of the team; he is the past, the present and the future of the Lakers. You cannot sit him down if he wants to play. What Phil did was talk to him, ask him what he wants to do. Kobe wanted to be in the game, so Phil put him in.