Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe’s Knees Limit His Game

By now, most know that Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has found the fountain of youth in Germany. Or at least made popular a blueprint for the revitalization of aging knees in the NBA. With training camp weeks away, Bryant jetted off to Munich again to undergo the seemingly elite and mysterious treatment performed by overnight sensation Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt.  

From Kobeteam.com

"The reason for Kobe’s latest Munich trip? Kobe is in Germany for a quick visit to see a legend, Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, who practices medicine opposite Alter Hof, and has reached ”rock star” status in sporting circles.Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt is the club doctor for Bayern Munich, and a world leader in the treatment of sports injuries. Dr. Hans is also known as ”Healing Hans” by many who have sought his care, among them ”The World’s Fastest Man”, Olympic and World Champion Usain Bolt, who has called Dr. Hans, the ”best doctor in the world”."

Bryant has already had three surgeries. At his age overall muscle loss, knee erosion and other ailments are expected. The procedure Kobe heads to Germany a few times out of the year is called Regenokine, a simple concept of using the body’s own anti-inflammatory proteins to reverse pain and chronic injuries.

Although it’s kept him going, it’s easy to say the Regenokine procedure only provides short-term relief; it’s not a cure or age reversal–an advanced upgrade from cortisone. 

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Recently turning 36, the hard stare of Father Time has finally caught up with Bryant and despite every attempt to be useful, Kobe’s game won’t be the same.

You can say Kobe’s been a leader on and off the hardwood. He’s been an icon to hoops fans across the globe, but also goes uncredited as a model for success among younger players. This summer LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony shed the pounds, looking to come into the upcoming season faster, quicker and lighter on the knees.

Both were following one small chapter of the novel that is Kobe’s ability to defeat father time.

Don’t believe the hype? Seven years ago Kobe was at the exact point in his career that LeBron is now, 29 years old and approaching his 12th NBA season.  That was the summer Kobe lost 20 pounds, resulting in two extra titles since. It’s no secret that as body weight increases, the pressure on joints does as well.

For every extra pound the body carries, the knees feel three times the pressure. Theoretically, Kobe removed 60 pounds of pressure off his knees.

And it won’t be enough — to be vintage Kobe.

That Kobe’s gone. If he plays even 80 percent of the season (which is a stretch) Kobe will be a much different player than the hard-cutting, slashing and crashing guard we’ve seen throughout his career. Forget the knee and Achilles injuries, at his age the loss of athleticism is expected.

A closer look into his play in the last two seasons shows Kobe a step slower.

Thus Kobe’s at an impasse. He must decide on how to play every night if he’s to propel the Lakers into the playoffs and have the greatest NBA season a 36-year-old player has ever had. His decision on how to mold his body in the interest of fitting his game and being dominant is similar to Michael Jordan. Although Bean loves the comparisons to G.O.A.T., they couldn’t be further apart in this conversation.

When Jordan finally noticed being a step slower due to age, he focused on the mid-range game hitting 10-to-15 perimeter shots … you know, those jumpers you rarely see anymore. Jordan transitioned from being the game’s best wing player to top dog in the post with an ability to score and pass.

His bump and fadeaway jumper is iconic, and one of the moves that define his legacy. It’s a move that’s in Kobe’s arsenal, but to thrive with it nightly will require a bulkier Bryant.

Sure you can make the argument that there’s more focus on core workouts over bulky muscle mass in recent years, however the bumps and bruises that come from post play with younger and stronger defenders wears on any 36 year old, even Kobe. Jordan was effective in the post because he could still back down guards and forwards on a nightly basis with brute force.

A slimmer Bryant is more fit to circle the perimeter, hit shots off the catch and occasionally drive by defenders.

That makes for tough buckets, but what’s the alternative for Bryant? Humans typically lose 10 percent of their muscle mass between the ages of 25 and 50. A statistic that’s tremendously accelerated due to the rigors that come with professional sports.

Kobe could bulk up like Jordan and attempt to mirror another part of his game and career, however at the risk of more injury. A heavier Kobe combined with his current ailments most likely equals a tougher time playing through the schedule resulting in more missed games.

Kobe doesn’t want that and Lakers new head coach Byron Scott will do everything he can to avoid it.

Kobe will always be Mamba in one way or another. He’ll be effective, and will undoubtedly be the No. 1 option again on a Lakers team filled with No. 5 options. The extent of his effectiveness is yet to be seen.

A previously injured Achilles plus those knees, multiplied by his age stacks the odds against him heavily. It’s simple math that contributes to a cloud of doubt over Kobe’s comeback and the Lakers season.