OC Register [imgl]http://www.ocregister.com/newsimages/sports/2005/10/04_kobe.jpg[/imgl] EL SEGUNDO ? Kobe Bryant is set to begin Lakers training camp today weighing about 215 pounds, down from the 225-230 level at which he played last season. He said he has maintained his strength, developed sprint speed to rival the league's fastest point guards and regained the conditioning that enabled him to win games at buzzers after playing nearly every minute along the way. Helpful as that should be to the Lakers, what will matter more is whether Kobe Bryant is lighter in another sense. He said Monday he has jettisoned the full set of internal Samsonites that stacked up inside him from his off-court distractions. He also declared that he won't hold on to the grudges he used to boast that he could keep forever. That means no ongoing, distracting, personal feud with Coach Phil Jackson, Bryant promised. "Forgive, move on," Bryant said. "We're all human beings. Who am I to sit up here and judge somebody? Life is too short to sit around and hold grudges; it doesn't make any sense to do it. "I've matured a great deal. Two or three years ago, would I have had the same response? Probably not. But you kind of just grow and take your bumps and bruises as you get older and realize life is too short to be holding grudges." Bryant, 27, said he and Jackson have not spent time trying to hash out past differences in the conversations they have had since Jackson was re-hired in mid-June after a one-year hiatus. Bryant's explanation: "We both know what we need to do." "Patch things up, move on with your life," Bryant said. "Phil's back, and I'm excited that he's back and I'm really looking forward to working with him. "I've learned a great deal and still have plenty more to learn. But being forgiving is something we all should really learn, and it takes time. It's not something that you can just do. But I'm at a point now where I can just forgive and move on." Bryant said he had "a great summer," spending time with his wife and daughter - a trip to Italy was the highlight - and working through his first extended training regimen in three offseasons. Regarding his slimming strategy, Bryant said: "It was really simple for me: I just wanted to be able to run all day and run fast." He said he enters this season calm because he is better prepared. The quiet summer offered him direct access to his love of the game, something polluted recently. "Passion was always there, but there were so many distractions," Bryant said. "It seemed like it was one thing after another, all the time." One thing last season was Jackson's book, in which he offered harsh criticism of Bryant. On Monday, Bryant accepted some responsibility for the past discord, saying, "There are some things I could've done, conversations, just opening up a little more." But Bryant also said, "believe it or not," he always felt he could talk to Jackson. "I felt like we communicated very well, actually," Bryant said. "Even when Shaquille (O'Neal) was here, I felt like we communicated pretty well." Bryant tried to accent what he called "mostly positive stuff" that happened while Jackson coached him, led by three Lakers championships. "The growth of my game and the way I play came from him and his coaching staff. They basically molded me and taught me how to play. So I'm deeply appreciative of that, and I look forward to Round 2. I'm very excited." Source
Great article!!!! I'm glad that Kobe changes with the way the game is played; unlike some players who do the opposite by trying to get bigger which causes them to be slower...
I?m starting to like Kobe again he is slowly regaining my respect. He has handled the situation with Phil returning with grace and has said all the right things he has had a rumor free summer, and committed himself to being the best player in the league ( or at least his position). Should he learn how to make his teammates better this season he could really show a lot of people how much he has matured. It?s going to be a rough couple years for the Lakers as they rebuild (unless they get KG or someone) but Kobe could still continue to develop as leader despite what the teams record may be at the end of the following seasons.
Kobe is becoming more humble as a team leader and that's a good thing. I expect a lot of leadership displayed from his this year in raising the young HS kids like Kwame and Bynum, he knows what it is like coming straight out of HS and he needs to give them all the support they need.
Dwyane Wade is still faster. But who cares? After that article I agree with BKS but the thing with me is that I already respected Kobe, but I'm gaining more & more respect for him. He is starting to sound like a leader, but it will be interesting to see if we will see that on the court. And personally I think we will BUT at the same time when his teammates fail to deliver in the time of need I think he will start being that same Kobe he was last season. But for the most part he is most def. heading in the right direction. Good luck to him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">when his teammates fail to deliver in the time of need I think he will start being that same Kobe he was last season.</div> Very good point- Everyones focus is on Kobe right now, when it should be on the rest of the team. We know what Kobe's going to bring, we know he's going to dish out basketball advice to everyone (including phil), and we know that he's going to give high fives, hugs and ass-slaps lol. The lakers success depends on how his teammates respond. Can they step up to the plate? Or will they prove everyone right in that they have a weak bench? If the role players play their roles, then look for Kobe to be a humble, team-oriented play-making machine. If his teammates don't step up however, I beleive were going to see much of the same from Kobe- huge numbers, while not as much team success. Let's hope Lamar goes Pippon on us, Kwame shuts his mouth and actually does something for once- and Aaron McKie can get up court without the use of a cane. Then all will be good in Laker-Land.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post"> LEANER & MEANER Kobe Bryant looks great!</div> Yeah his body looks more defined. I haven't seen any exhibition games though. Been outta the sports loop these past 4 months. Didn't even know Kwame Brown and Aaron Mckey was on the team.
I've heard (can't say it for a fact) that he recently ran 100 meters going from 11.5 last year to 10.75 which is a huge diffference and amazingly fast for someone 6'6' so he'll def. be faster.
Having the same strength and bein faster I'm hoping he shoots a career and scores a career high. Like 47 to 48% from the field. Asking for 50 maybe a lil to much but even better. And of course making his teammates better and believing in the Lakers system umum yeah.
