Another title points to Kobe's finger.

Look no further than the small avulsian fracture of Kobe Bryant's index finger on his shooting hand, for the creeping title doubt in Laker-land. The injury, suffered in December (see Kobe's post-game reaction below) was downplayed by the Lakers and, not surprisingly, Kobe himself. In reality, ligament damage to the most important digit, on the most important hand, on the most important player on the defending champions, can alter NBA history.

Withouth Kobe's shot the Lakers will struggle. LA finished the season losing 2 of 3 in which Kobe made just 21 of 70 shots. But stats only tell part of the story. Anyone watching the Lakers' late season struggles can see that Kobe is not himself.

Bryant's now familiar looping jumpshot now takes a myriad of different paths. Sometimes he will line drive shots from behind the arc in a pushing motion not unlike that of one without a full functioning index finger.

In LA's game 1 victory of the Sonics, Bryant again struggled with his shot (6/19) and showed unusual uneasiness at the free throw line (7/12).

LA will need Kobe's shot, particularly as the team tends to defer to him in late game situations. While it was hoped, by this writer, his time off might have been enough to heal Bryant's ailing index finger, game one does not give me comfort.

Assuming Bryant's index finger is in far worse condition than we were led to believe, you can likely see 3-4 7-game series should the Lakers advance.