Kobe Bryant had to play this past season with a right knee that was never completely healthy. While he still has some cartilage, he doesn't have a lot and it's up to head athletic trainer Gary Vitti to help Bryant strengthen the knee during the offseason. "Yes, I do think he has more progression there, but structurally there are some issues that cannot be reversed, but can be dealt with," Vitti tells Lakers.com. "There are a couple of cards we have up our sleeve that we plan on playing, and he and I have been in daily communication about that." And what is the main issue with Kobe's knee? "His is an articulating cartilage problem. ... Kobe doesn't have an arthritic knee, but he has a knee that has some joint degeneration to it. His issues and his age are such that it eliminates some procedures, like microfracture and that type of things," Vitti said. "But he is a candidate for certain other things, and we know all the procedures all around the world that are available to him, and the appropriate decisions will be made, he'll have the best care." Bryant didn't practice that much during this past season and that may be one of the best ways to rest the knee for the duration of his NBA career. Lakers.com
