"He used his middle finger more to get the rotation" - How Kobe Bryant changed his shooting form to play with a broken finger

It's well-known among Los Angeles Lakers fans that Kobe Bryant played through a lot of injuries. He loved the game too much and was so obsessed with winning that he didn't let the pain get in the way.

There was one stretch in Bryant's career when he played with a broken right finger and still went on a scoring tear. Jeff Van Gundy broke down the ridiculous method Kobe used to change his shooting mechanics so he could still play.

When Kobe changed his shooting mechanics

"See him have his index finger, taking it off the ball, using his thumb more, using his middle finger more to get the rotation. Would you ever know that this guy has a broken finger?" Van Gundy said .

Mike Breen later pointed out that the Lakers guard had been averaging 36 points a game with a broken finger. It's safe to say that Kobe's little tweak with his shooting mechanics completely worked.

But that's not to say it's easy. NBA players spend years and off time during summer to perfect their shooting form. Bryant only had a few games to polish his jump-shot mechanics. Given that he's their best player, the Lakers would likely lose if he messed up.

A brand new challenge

According to legendary Lakers trainer Gary Vitti, telling Bryant not to play was difficult. Unlike today, when players manage their load, the Black Mamba would play as long as he could move his arms and legs.

Vitti said he had to resort to different tactics so Bryant could rest. But pain seemed to motivate Kobe. According to the Lakers trainer, when Kobe broke his finger, he took it as a new challenge instead of a hindrance .

"I'd have to manipulate him to choose not to play," Vitti told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN in 2010. "If I tell him not to play, that would convince him that he could play. Like when he broke his finger, I figured he was done for six weeks, and he was like, 'I can do this.' It was kind of like a new challenge for him."

Perhaps this is what the Mamba Mentality truly means. Pain and injuries are a part of life, but they shouldn't stop you from pursuing what you love. This approach means to keep on pushing forward despite the obstacles that are in the way.

Related: How Vince Carter motivated Kobe Bryant in HS - "He was the number one shooting guard in that class, and I was coming up behind him"