Kobe offers Hayward heartfelt encouragement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- Basketball legend Kobe Bryant wrote a message of encouragement to Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward on Wednesday after Hayward suffered a broken ankle in Tuesday night's season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena.

Hayward probably knew his season was in jeopardy following the gruesome injury he suffered just minutes into the match, and clearly the former Los Angeles Lakers star knows the feeling.

"Be sad. Be mad. Be frustrated. Scream. Cry. Sulk. When you wake up you will think it was just a nightmare only to realize it's all too real. You will be angry and wish for the day back. But reality gives nothing back and nor should you," said Kobe, who ruptured his Achilles tendon four years ago.

"Time to move on and focus on doing everything in your power to prepare for surgery, ask all the questions to be sure you understand fully the procedure so that you may visualize it in your subconscious while being operated on and better the chance of it's success. Then focus on the recovery process day by day by day. It's a long journey but if you focus on the mini milestones along the way you will find beauty in the struggle of doing simple things.

"This will also mean that when you return you will have a new perspective. You will be so appreciative of being able to stand, walk, run that you will train harder than you ever have. You see the belief within you grow with each mini milestone and you will come back a better player for it. Best of luck to you on this journey my brother," he added.

Hayward, 27, will reportedly undergo an MRI and CT scan on Wednesday to determine next steps regarding a possible surgery. He signed a four-year, 128 million US dollars contract with the Celtics this past summer.