Monday, December 19th, 2011 at 1:00 pm  |  65 responses

Kobe Bryant: ‘My Knee Feels 90 Percent Better’


by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

Many things went wrong for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, culminating in a humiliating sweep at the hands of the eventual NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. It’s hard to pinpoint precisely one thing that doomed the team, but a lot of blame can safely be placed on Kobe Bryant’s health. Or lack thereof.

Bryant used the extended offseason to get himself healthy, undergoing an innovative knee procedure in Germany, and he says that he’s never felt better physically.

In a wide-ranging Q&A with Yahoo! Sports, Kobe addresses a number of subjects surrounding Laker-land, including his health, new coach Mike Brown, trades and near-trades, and what he expects from the team in 2012:

Q: Do you see yourself retiring with the Lakers? There’s been speculation you might want a change. Bryant: “I don’t know where that comes from. I don’t have any feeling about [leaving] whatsoever.”

Q: So you definitely want to stay a Laker? Bryant: “Of course. No question. Why not? I’ve been here for 16 years. I’m going to up and leave now?” Q: Do you want to be one of those rare stars that played in only one place during a long NBA career? Bryant: “Oh yeah. That would be special. It’s rare to see that nowadays. It’s almost nearly impossible.”

Q: Can you talk about the surgical procedure you underwent on your right knee in Germany this summer and why you had it there? Bryant: “I’m not a big medicine, techie guy. But I know my knee feels 90 percent better. My understanding was that the guy who invented it … [Germany] is where he’s from and where his home base is. So I didn’t want to go someplace else where he had to move his equipment. If I am going to do it, I want to do it right and do it in the place where he is most comfortable doing it.” Q: What can you do physically with that knee that you couldn’t do at the end of last season? Bryant: “Anything I want. I can run. I can jump. I can run the track. I can lift weights the way I want to lift weights. I can practice every day. Those are things I couldn’t do last year.”

You should take time and read the entire thing.

Most people don’t consider the Lakers true title contenders going into this season — too old, disjointed, etc. — but Kobe Bryant’s belief in himself and the team (as presently constructed) seems unwaivering. That has to count for something, right?

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  • EJ

    I don’t see why Kobe couldn’t score even 27 PPG this year. I mean if he’s healthier than last year, when he averaged 25.3 PPG on only 33.9 minutes, I don’t know why 27 would be out of reach. But I don’t think people should really be considered on how much Kobe will score, it’s still a championship team.

  • shutup

    Well look at his steady ppg dropoff starting in 05-06 with 35.4 ppg and last year he only avg 25.3 i think its more reasonable to acknowledge the decline in his scoring output is dropping by like 1.5-2 ppg so an avg of 22-24 is more likely than him increasing his ppg average

  • Chris

    kobe’s scoring dropped last year because of limited minutes, his PER was actually better than in 09-10. What was worrying last year was his inability to turn it on in the Playoffs, and his lack of production in crunch time. If that can be put on his knee problem or if it’s more of a general decline remains to be seen. With this Lakers squad though, and increased minutes, look for Kobe’s scoring to increase.

  • IAMORANGE4EVER

    I don’t know about Kobe’s knee, but the Clippers look damn good in their first game together, as they whooped the Lakers last night. That chubby little point guard wearing #3 is pretty good. lol

  • shutup

    09-10 he avg 27.0 last year was 25.3 thats a drop of nearly 2 points, and if his scoring does rise it will most likely be to the detriment of his team. This team is going to win much with him avg more than 27-28ppg if he can even do that now, after watching the clippers game cant say I was impressed by his explosiveness, granted it was only preseason but he looks slower, and on a side note Billups looked great, he looks healthy and the Knicks are gonna look real dumb when and if Chandler gets hurt this year, granted he’s not as fragile as Oden or Bynum but the up and down pace might take a toll on him, especially if Stat and Melo launch shots early in the shot clock.

  • http://nba.com GP23

    He played 29 minutes and had 7 turnovers last night. Kobe didn’t look like himself at all…. but it was only a pre-season game I guess.

  • riggs

    mo williams need to get traded

  • 12ising Phoenix

    Nahh I like mo taking on that 6th man role.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    well he’s gonna get traded

  • 12ising Phoenix

    :l

  • doyouwantmore

    LOL Kobe’s done. Any other year he would have said he’s feeling 100%. Say hello to the spot-up-shooter era of Kobe’s career. I bet he’s going to date some fine women though.

  • DieselMechanic

    Kobe effectiveness hasn’t dimished at all. I would argue that Kobe is still the most dominant player when you look at his minutes going down and still hanging around the top of the scoring charts. But the Odom thing is a really bad look to start the year on. And Pau is still sore about almost being traded.

  • shutup

    Kobe the most dominant player? that doesnt even sound right, i have a list of three things that i know will stop Kobe from being “dominant”
    1) old legs 90-100% he still not as explosive to the rim
    2) with the lack of explosiveness will come less drives to the rim, more Kobe jumshots, more jumpshots, less freethrows
    3) they have took away the rip through move so his free throw attempts are going to be down even more.
    Not all great players handle the decrease in their game well, MJ was good because he adapted, another one was Larry Johnson, I can see this season turning in to work for Kobe instead of just basketball especially if they start losing, and with all the personal ish going on in his life this is gonna be one helluva year, oh and its gotta suck to see the other LA team get more press now.

  • JL

    190% of 50% is 95% now. Most important is how the knee will be in the playoffs and through the season. Bynum’s knee is 100%. Which is pretty impressive. Let’s hope it’s true.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    If you can’t see Kobe has lost a step, or three, then you haven’t been watching Kobe for very long, if at all.

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