Kobe Bryant has again proven to be the ultimate competitor.

The ultimate teammate.

The ultimate basketball player.

After months of deliberation and discussion of what is the right move to make with his pinkie, Kobe Bryant has decided to not undergo surgery on his hand because the recovery can take up to 12 weeks and essentially keep him away from the team.

This is the official announcement from Kobe Bryant on his website:

After seeking numerous opinions from hand specialists, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has decided to forgo surgery on his right pinkie. Fresh off his Olympic Gold Medal performance in Beijing, Bryant expressed that he did not want to miss any time on the court when Lakers training camp opens later this month.

“I have always felt that I can still focus and play at a high level even through various injuries. That’s really just part of the game. When the doctors told me recovery from a procedure could be 12 weeks, I just decided now was not the time to have surgery. What it really came down to for me is that I just didn’t want to miss any time ‘punching the clock’ for the Lakers, given all we are trying to accomplish as a team this NBA season. I am just really excited and looking forward to being there with the guys when camp opens in a few weeks. That is a real bonding process and if I can avoid being on the sidelines for that, God willing, I will,” said Bryant.