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Napoleon Bonaparte is considered one of history’s best generals. Calculating and fearless, Bonaparte was able to conquer much of Europe before his failed attempt to conquer Russia. Wise as he was, Napoleon thought that by engaging the Russians, his superior army would have victory. When he was awarded the battle he was looking for in the capital city of Moscow by the Russians, the French won, but Russia still stood and did not surrender.
Following the battle, he gave the following account of the day’s events: “The most terrible of all my battles was the one before Moscow. The French showed themselves to be worthy of victory, but the Russians showed themselves worthy of being invincible.”
Once it was clear to Napoleon retreat was the only remaining option, he was too deep in Russia to escape safely. In a two-night period during his retreat, about 10,000 troops froze to death. All told, his manpower was reduced from 400,000 frontline troops to roughly 40,000 when he returned to Paris.
What does this have to do with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers? Bryant and the Lakers are approaching a similar test as Napoleon did about 200 years ago. In search of victory over Father Time, Bryant and the Lakers are approaching a point of no return, in which Bryant may not have his legs underneath him for the rest of the season. Yes, Bryant has shown spurts of youth at various times this season, but a simple eye test of his athletic abilities could at times leave on believing he’s 26, such as when he went baseline for a slam against the Los Angeles Clippers, or 36, like during most of the first half against the Indiana Pacers. He’s looked younger when the stakes have been higher, or he’s had more rest.
There is clear precedence for a move like this. The San Antonio Spurs, current NBA champions and the most forward-thinking franchise in the league, regularly rest stars Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili, Tony Parker and even the much younger Kawhi Leonard when soreness, bruises or strains need to heal, as well as for the simple reason that not playing protects a player from these events occurring. It has helped each remain fresh for the playoffs, as well as avoid aforementioned injuries that are inevitable when playing heavy minutes over the course of an 82-game season. At 36 years of age, and only 20 months removed from an injury that put his career in doubt, Kobe would be wise to look to their example.
It goes against Bryant’s outlook on not just basketball, but life, to acknowledge something as antithetical as what is about to come, but it may just save Bryant’s productivity for this season and beyond; sometimes, the best way to extend a battle is not to forge headlong into the opponent’s defenses, but to retreat to alter the terms of the engagement. It’s a tactic Napoleon failed to recognize before he was trapped by the Russian cold to watch his forces freeze and die.
It’s a tactic Gregg Popovich, a student of history himself, has employed to protect his most valued assets. It’s a tactic Bryant has never used in his entire career, which is the reason why he is the best basketball player of his generation. However, Bryant has also never faced an opponent as powerful as Father Time, and he would be wise to retreat every now and then to fight another day.
Ian McEwan is a blogger for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @IanClarkMcEwan,“Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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