<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOS ANGELES -- Kobe Bryant took care of a number of things this summer: He traveled around Asia -- where some of his basketball comments got lost in translation -- underwent knee surgery and hit the weights. One thing he didn't do was play for the United States at the world championships. He wanted to be on the team, but his right knee didn't cooperate. He had arthroscopic surgery instead, a decision he's altogether happy with as he gets ready for his 11th season. "The knee's getting healthier and stronger day by day," the Los Angeles Lakers' star told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "I haven't been able to run yet; I should be cleared to run in a while. I've been doing a lot of weight training, things of that nature." Bryant hopes to hit the court running before the end of the month -- just in time for the start of training camp Oct. 3. "We just have to play it by ear," he said. "The most important thing is to get all the strength in my leg back. You don't want to rush it." Bryant expects to be 100 percent healthy by the time the Lakers open the season Oct. 31 against the Phoenix Suns. "I hope so," he said with a laugh. It was common knowledge that Bryant's knee bothered him last season, but apparently more than he let on. "It took me 45 minutes to warm up for practice and games. It was crazy," he recalled. "It was very sore, you just played around it. I couldn't attack, put pressure on the defense the way I wanted to." Maybe not, but he still managed to win his first scoring championship, averaging 35.4 points -- the highest since Michael Jordan's 37.1 in the 1986-87 season and the eighth highest in NBA history. Bryant led the Lakers to a 45-37 record and the playoffs after they went 34-48 a year earlier, when they failed to qualify for the first time in 11 years. Los Angeles extended Phoenix to seven games in the first round before losing. Bryant, who turned 28 last month, figured rest was all his knee needed. But that didn't do it. "I got back into my training, a couple days into it, it got sore," he said. "Then, it started getting worse." He had surgery July 13, thinking he would make a full recovery in eight to 12 weeks. He seems right on schedule. Bryant hopes the signing of Vladimir Radmanovic, Maurice Evans and Shammond Williams will strengthen the Lakers. "We made some key additions with those guys," Bryant said. "We turned some heads the way we performed last season. We were a very young team. We're still a young team. I think it will be exciting." Bryant helped put on three clinics this summer -- in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Philadelphia -- and will be part of a three-sport clinic Tuesday in conjunction with the New Orleans Recreation Department and the Fox Sports Network's "Best Damn Sports Show Period." "It's an uphill battle," Bryant said, referring to the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Katrina. "With any uphill battle, the important thing is to take it one day at a time. They're not alone in this." Members of the New Orleans Saints are expected to participate along with the New Orleans Hornets and the New Orleans Zephyrs, a Triple-A baseball team. During the summer, Bryant toured Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan. While in Taipei, he was quoted as saying the U.S. basketball team will have to work on its chemistry to perform well at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Didn't happen, he says now. "Those words never came out of my mouth," he said. "I think something must have gotten lost in translation. Obviously, they misunderstood everything I was saying."</div> Source
This is really good news. Hopefully it continues to get even stronger and we don't have to worry about it during the season.
Anybody know when they will air the Lakers' preseason game on KCAL9? Day and Time? Good to know Kobe is back 100%. We should see an improving Kobe next season with all the weight lifting he's been doing the past months.
Was this a nagging injury for most of last season? I was under the impression that it was the after effects of exerting himself so much during the season, but I don't know enough about the situation. If he played all of last season while slightly injured, I can't even imagine what he'll do completely healthy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Was this a nagging injury for most of last season? I was under the impression that it was the after effects of exerting himself so much during the season, but I don't know enough about the situation. If he played all of last season while slightly injured, I can't even imagine what he'll do completely healthy.</div> I don't think it was a nagging injury. I just think he sustained the injury during the off season. Anyways, I'm glad Kobe is starting to return to form. There is no doubt in my mind he will have another terrific season
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Was this a nagging injury for most of last season? I was under the impression that it was the after effects of exerting himself so much during the season, but I don't know enough about the situation. If he played all of last season while slightly injured, I can't even imagine what he'll do completely healthy.</div> He's been playing with knee pains the last few seasons. I think he has a mild case of arthritis, but hopefully this surgery takes the pain away.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">He's been playing with knee pains the last few seasons. I think he has a mild case of arthritis, but hopefully this surgery takes the pain away.</div> Not completely sure on this, but didn't Kobe go to Colorado for knee surgery a couple of seasons ago? (we all know what happened there)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">Was this a nagging injury for most of last season? I was under the impression that it was the after effects of exerting himself so much during the season, but I don't know enough about the situation. If he played all of last season while slightly injured, I can't even imagine what he'll do completely healthy.</div> No kidding.....If his knee was sore last season and he comes back 100% plus with upper body strength this guy is going to be unstoppable...... <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think it was a nagging injury. I just think he sustained the injury during the off season. Anyways, I'm glad Kobe is starting to return to form. There is no doubt in my mind he will have another terrific season</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It was common knowledge that Bryant's knee bothered him last season, but apparently more than he let on. "It took me 45 minutes to warm up for practice and games. It was crazy," he recalled. "It was very sore, you just played around it. I couldn't attack, put pressure on the defense the way I wanted to."</div>
Great News. Kobe has always been a warrior on the court. Being healthy will only make him better. I expect alot of penetration in the paint this year. Watch out Wade! Kobe can do it too!!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trench:</div><div class="quote_post">Great News. Kobe has always been a warrior on the court. Being healthy will only make him better. I expect alot of penetration in the paint this year. Watch out Wade! Kobe can do it too!!!</div> You've got to be kidding me. Trench, You're making it seem as if Kobe is hessitant to drive to the basket. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Watch out Wade! Kobe can do it too!!!</div> Kobe has been driving to the basket and winning championships while Wade was in Marquette.
SO let me get this straight His knee wasn't near 100% last year and it took him 45 minutes to warm up each time and he was still able to score 81 pts in a game? Uh, I feel sorry for whoever has to guard Kobe next year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Lakers4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">You've got to be kidding me. Trench, You're making it seem as if Kobe is hessitant to drive to the basket. Kobe has been driving to the basket and winning championships while Wade was in Marquette.</div> He was much more hesistant last season. Do you even watch the games? He took many fadeaway jumpers and wasn't attacking the basket the way he did in his eariler years. So many people have mentioned that fact. He was a step slower than he was in previous years but still managed to win the scoring title. Kobe even mentioned himself that his knees were hurting him so he wasn't able to do the things he would like to do. Now can you imagine the season he will bring now that he CAN attack the basket much more effectively and still hit outside anywhere he pleases? Its going to be an AMAZING SEASON. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Watch out Wade! Kobe can do it too!!!</div> Come on dude. Get with the program. Its called sarcasm. All real Kobe fans know he is one of the best if not the best at dribble penetration. Its just that last year all the hype was about how great Wade was at doing it...
I can't wait to see Kobe play next season. He will be virtually unstoppable. You take what he did last season, and put into perspective that he wasnt even 100% healthy. This season, nobody can tell how good he will become. It just sucks how Mitch Kupchak is wasting the prime of a legendary superstar.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">It just sucks how Mitch Kupchak is wasting the prime of a legendary superstar.</div> He's like the Randy Moss of the NBA. Ironically, both teams are in California.
I wouldnt say exactly like the Randy Moss. At least Kobe is winning games, still coming up with record breaking accomplishments, and hopes to make it deeper in the playoffs this season. Moss is on a pathetic Raiders team going NO WHERE at all and doing nothing at all for his team or for himself.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trench:</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldnt say exactly like the Randy Moss. At least Kobe is winning games, still coming up with record breaking accomplishments, and hopes to make it deeper in the playoffs this season. Moss is on a pathetic Raiders team going NO WHERE at all and doing nothing at all for his team or for himself.</div> Exactly. Also, you can't put all the blame on the Raiders. Randy Moss basically drove himself out of Minny with all his antics.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brian:</div><div class="quote_post">Exactly. Also, you can't put all the blame on the Raiders. Randy Moss basically drove himself out of Minny with all his antics.</div> He still wouldn't have got traded if it weren't for his ankle problems troubling the Vikings. As for Kobe, it's great to hear that he is on pace to return at the appropriate time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trench:</div><div class="quote_post">He was much more hesistant last season. <font color=""Red""><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Do you even watch the games? <font color=""red"">I haven't missed a Laker game since '97.</font></div> </font> He took many fadeaway jumpers and wasn't attacking the basket the way he did in his eariler years. So many people have mentioned that fact. He was a step slower than he was in previous years but still managed to win the scoring title. Kobe even mentioned himself that his knees were hurting him so he wasn't able to do the things he would like to do. Now can you imagine the season he will bring now that he CAN attack the basket much more effectively and still hit outside anywhere he pleases? Its going to be an AMAZING SEASON. Come on dude. Get with the program. Its called sarcasm. All real Kobe fans know he is one of the best if not the best at dribble penetration. Its just that last year all the hype was about how great Wade was at doing it...</div> I agree but I doubt that he was hessitant to drive to the basket. Kobe drove to the basket at will when needed, mostly in the fourth quarter to lead a comeback or secure a lead. Part of the reason why he didn't drive more is well his knee and the damn zebras. And also, almost every shot Kobe took per game was nothing but the bottom of the net. The guy has unlimited range which is another reason why he didn't drive to the basket at will. If Kobe were to average 20 layups per game, he would be on the injured reserved due to hacks and lack of calls. So with a healthy Kobe this year, I'm eagerd to see this revitalized Laker team.
