Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 at 2:40 pm  |  95 responses

Kobe Bryant Lost 16 Pounds for the Olympic Games


He may not have a big role on this year’s Olympic hoops team – content to play sparingly, and mostly provide leadership as the Elder Statesman — but that doesn’t mean Kobe Bryant is taking the London Games lightly at all. Bean tells The Guardian that he shed 16 pounds while training for one final shot at another gold medal: “As the team go through their warm-up routine, it is clear that something is different about the superstar, physically and mentally. He seems very relaxed. [...] Sitting in a conference room at the Wynn hotel and casino in Las Vegas, Bryant and his coach reminisce over their first meeting. ‘I remember watching Kobe playing – I’ve been coaching for 37 years – and he was the best high school player I ever saw,’ says USA Basketball’s head coach, Mike Krzyzewski, recalling how he recruited Bryant to play for Duke University in 1996 before he became the 27th player to forgo his collegiate career and enter the NBA straight from high school. ‘I was a little, scrawny kid,’ remembers Bryant before Krzyzewski corrects him: ‘You were never that scrawny.’ Bryant laughs. ‘He carried himself way above his peers,’ Krzyzewski reflects. ‘He continues to do that. He really is the guy I respect most playing basketball today.’ […] ‘I actually enjoy it,’ Bryant says. ‘I have some grey hairs on my head, but the problem is that my hair won’t grow any more. The ageing thing is something I really enjoy. It’s a challenge because you have to adjust some things. You have to change your diet. You have to change the speed with which you play. It’s fun to approach that bridge.’ […] Beyond experimental [knee] therapy, Bryant reveals how else his appearance has changed, losing 16 pounds to prepare his older body for the rigours of the Olympics followed by another run at his sixth NBA title. ‘With summer basketball leading directly into the season – and I’m expecting to play until next June – I have to take some load off my knees. I’ve got to shave some of this weight.’”

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  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    If they get Dwight with Pau they should be the clear favorites. If they get Dwight and have to give up Pau and Bynum, not as much.

  • Sundance

    Lakers aren’t favorites. OKC , Miami , and even Boston have better odds than them

  • Lboogie

    Lets break this down…everyone knew Lebron james just moved to Miami, The world wanted to see Lebron, But without a healthy kobe…they passed it to dallas. Test the ratings like they did with san antonio…all the teams are either LA or from TEXAS. Spurs, Thunder, Lakers…only teams to make to finals past 10 years, even Hakeem’s Houston Rockets were in it during jordan years. I wonder if because TX is a hugeeee state, more people buying things there than LA. I wonder if Texas is the capital of marketing and consumer buying?

  • Lboogie

    well yeah, Lakers arent favorites BUT it doesnt mean they wont win it. I know vegas set Miami to be the favorites…but injuries can happen. I just know Lakers have never been out of the Championship talk, its absurd to not notice their dominance on a basketball aspect. The opening season vs Portland couple years back was a eye opener to how crazy lakers are…they just get bored of teams. Where do u hear announcers say Lakers purposely lose to get their guys fired to win. It just means they know they were so good that it became more of a JOB than Love of the game

  • Lboogie

    well yeah, Lakers arent favorites BUT it doesnt mean they wont win it. I know vegas set Miami to be the favorites…but injuries can happen. I just know Lakers have never been out of the Championship talk, its absurd to not notice their dominance on a basketball aspect. The opening season vs Portland couple years back was a eye opener to how crazy lakers are…they just get bored of teams. Where do u hear announcers say Lakers purposely lose to get their guys fired to win. It just means they know they were so good that it became more of a JOB than Love of the game.

  • Lboogie

    Artest is gonna make a difference. WATCH

  • Sundance

    If Artest is such a difference maker than why didnt he show up in the second round this year? and dont give me that shortened season BS

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    You guys are both annoying as hell. Shut up.^^

  • LA Huey

    It’s like watching two retards discuss science fiction…

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Neither has a winning argument they both just like to banter like females. No offense Cheryl. (The one female Slammer)

  • Jre

    I swear ya’ll dedicate more time hating Kobe while he don’t even know ya’ll exist…….

  • MUBWAR

    lakers fans needs there head checked by a doctor. Even if they get dwight this team isn’t going anywhere. No ATHLETICISM and no DEFENSE means no championships. kobe is too old to defend anyone. nash pau come on now. the era of Lakers Celtics is done and I’m happy 4 it. let’s move on 2 miami okc the grizzlies

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    ^LMAO. Pure idiocy…
    (If Howard is a Laker)
    You have a team with two former defensive players of the year. The best current defensive, center. A very solid defending 7 foot Power Forward. Kobe is average now days at defense and Steve Nash has made a career out of not having to play defense and still managing teams great.
    You are truly, and utterly STUPID. No offense braaah.

  • 24

    First off it was a 66 game season not 50. Tim Duncan and the Spurs won in the 1999 lockout but nobody questions that championship, just like nobody should question Miami this year, they deserved it. A lockout season shouldn’t make a difference because the playoffs are the normal length. And if the Lakers get Dwight, they’ll beat Miami in the Finals next year, book it.

  • Asadsaleh3

    Did someone say all of the Hall of Famers never won championships during lockout seasons? Tim Duncan and David Robinson???? Not Hall of Famers? And are people still not giving LeBron James his due? What does the man have to do?

  • Asadsaleh3

    LJ could average 50, 10 and 10 in the playoffs, win a championship and some folks would still talk about him and not wanting to take “clutch” shots.

  • MUBWAR

    ”a very solid defending 7f PF” loool lbj and love roughed him up to the tune of 4 rebounds yesterday. kobe was an average defender 2 years ago(when he somehow made it to the all d team). MWP? even superman cant defend 5 positions at once

  • LA Huey

    The Lakers clearly improved this offseason. Not sure how you can just rule them out. And as the Celtics have been proving for the last 4 years, champions don’t die until you cut off the head. News flash: Mamba is still alive.

  • Jake

    Everyone realizes that kobe is purposely playing easy right? He said that thing into the , and they are only in the . Why would he go hard for a game that means nothing? He’s taking 3 shots a game…..how about the game against Argentina when he and Durant scored the first 19 points? Haters…

  • Jake

    He’s had roughly the same averages since 07 and if I’m not mistaken he’s playing less minutes, which would mean he is more efficient.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    When Huey is defending the Lakers or Bean in anyway you need to check your self.
    Dude doesn’t like the Lakers or Kobe at all, but he can be real with himself and understand they are solid players that have a great chance at a chip this year.
    If you don’t think Gasol is a solid defender, that’s on you. If you don’t think Artest is a good defender, that’s on you.
    Facts have been presented. It’s your choice now if you choose to except them.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Jake, somehow I think Kobe managed to up his usage rating in less mins. He also put up 23 shots per game last year. His career average being 19.5. He hasn’t taken that many shots since he scored 35 PPG in 05/06. Also his FG% was 2% lower than his career average.
    So, no. He did not play more efficiently last year. None-the-less, the demise of Kobe Bryant’s skills each year is hilarious to hear talked about.

  • LA Huey

    Only thing I dislike more than the Lakers is ignorance or trash-talk parading as fact. LakeShow knows. Let’s enjoy the alliance for now, homie. Once King and Mamba return from London, we’re back at odds.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Rahhspect.

  • KDTreyCinco

    Watch out Lakers! Thunder rule the west now!

  • KDTreyCinco

    Watch out Lakers! The Thunder owns the west now!

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    Kobe has been putting it down for years, please people show respect to a top 7 player in NBA History who has a chance to move up in my eyes to top 5 or higher when its all said and done. Kobe career is like no other.

  • http://slamonline.com Nella

    LOL at the dude saying Kobe is a lot bigger and stronger than Jordan. See what Tim Grover has to say about training both of them and Wade.

  • flight

    Orlando Woolridge did it before JR and Kobe. Also I hope people realize all Kobe needs in the next two seasons is two rings and 3000 points to have more rings and points then MJ and can certainly be in the conversation for number 1 all time.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Redd

    No he cant lol

  • Conor

    He already is, so yes.

  • http://www.slamononline.com Redd

    I didn’t post that. But yeah Lakers won’t win again but don’t think they won’t be hard to beat.

  • http://none Charles Christian

    So what does that make him,around 190(pounds)at the most,6’7/190,is DOES THAT make him Alex English Now

  • Lboogie

    I’ve said enough to bring huey and lakeshow together , first day on the job and I solve world conflicts. Anyhow my argument has a point, Which is why you are a laker fan. Did anyone read what I wrote, I was praising lakers all day, and the fact that mwp improved after is because it takes time for any player to adjust to new teams. Lakers are a lock to win , Kobe can’t be locked down and I’ll be at staples celebrating

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    Noticeable weight loss and much quicker on his feet in these last 3 olympic warmup games. I’m impressed with how he hounded Navarro two days ago, cutting the gap, quick hands everytime JC had the ball.
    Had a few vintage moves, took Sada baseline (from standstill, GREAT 1st step after a shoulder shimmy) then hung in the air as the big fouled him.
    Two handed pump-dunk on a defender after driving baseline, and most impressive, gathering an offensive board in the paint while surrounded by spanish bigs.
    Looks motivated to play D and be a facilitator, yet you know he can make any shot he sets his mind to.
    Weight loss. i’d say good decision judging by his current play.

  • MikeC.

    When did Kobe get physically bigger than Jordan? That’s either a purposeful lie, or the kid that said that isn’t old enough to have seen Jordan and Kobe on the court together. I suppose Gasol is bigger than Muresan too.

  • B.Plump

    Mj is more athletic than Kobe, right. Kobe has played a lot of more games at this stage of his career, yes. Kobe also played more international games (more summers unrested). Maybe Kobe work too much during off-season. The athleticism environment of the league is higher right now. I’m not talking about talent, just the physical demand to put a player in a position to get a ring. In his last ring Jeff Hornacek, Russell and Stockton were the defenders of Jordan. MJ has more room to shine. I’m not saying than KB was better than MJ. I’m not insane. Just MJ played (90′s) in the perfect era for the exaltation of individuals. The league then also favors the one to one game. Now we have more zone defense and less space and more legal restrictions. I’m just sad to see Kobe getting old too fast. He must began to play more back to basket with fade away jumpers, playing without ball just to catch and shoot and try to recover his 3 point range. Nash is gonna help if he is not injured at the right time, but Lakers need a fresh bench, a real second unit and the ferocity inside of Howard to have real options. Right now Durant and Westbrook can destroy KB and Nash. I think also KB knee is a problem.

  • Drig

    When Darksaber, a huge Mavs fan,is saying it’s a good move, you know you’re an idiot if you disagree :D .

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4FqOUz-Ia4 Ugh

    27th player to skip college and got to the NBA. Is that actually correct?

  • Cory Sp8

    This Lboogie guy is funny!!! I wonder what the conspiracy theory will be if the Lakers get swept or take the 4-1L again. Oh and if a short season don’t mean anything to a HOFer go tell Pop, Robinson and Duncan to give their ’99 rings back.

  • pposse

    lakers aint the favorites yet in vegas but their odds are around 8:1 for the championship. The best odds are the heat at 3:1 and i believe the thunder are 5:1. IF LA gets Howard I am sure the vegas odds makers will put the Lakers atleast at 5:1 if not 3:1 co-favorites with the Heat. It all seems pretty accurate to me.

  • pposse

    i take that back, lakers should have the second best odds to win the whole thing after Miami. Their team is stacked there is no way around it. The only thing that hinders them from winning it all is their coach imo.

  • Skrill

    God is good because Kobe is not a Blue devil alumni praise

  • MikeC.

    Why do people keep crapping on lockout seasons when their team doesn’t win the championship? Last time I checked, the Lakers played the same number of games as every other team. A 65 game season has the same weight as an 82 game season when every team plays 65 games. If people actually watch games and read real analysis, they’d have heard/read all the players, coaches, trainers, etc saying how the condensed 65 game season was more difficult than the more spread out 82 game season. People disregarding the Spurs and Heat championships are just bitter turds with hurt feelings. I can’t believe I just stood up for the Heat. I must have sun stroke.

  • http://kb24.com x-DrEw_MaiN-x

    Kobe such a good teammate, Melo Gained all that weight Kobe lost

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