Kobe Bryant is out at least for the remainder of this season and could miss significant time next season due to an Achilles injury that he sustained against the Golden State Warriors last week. While many people are expecting this to be the end of Bryant’s ability to play at a high level, if there’s anybody that can come back from this significant of an injury at an advanced age (for an NBA player), it would be Bryant.
—-Want to show off your Kobe love? Check out this VINO t-shirt!—-
Now in a recent interview with WYGM in Orlando with Mike Bianchi, Tim Grover, Kobe’s trainer, says that he still believes Bryant can come out and have a big impact once he’s fully recovered from his Achilles injury.
“Everyone is saying ‘can he come back close to where he once was?’ My job is to get him better than he once was. With all the technology that is available to us and all the different resources and the training available for this surgery now, there is no doubt in my mind that can happen. Yes, he does have a lot of miles but again, the battle with him is going to be from the neck up. It’s not that he is not going to be able to do this, it’s going to be a matter of slowing him down so he doesn’t overdo it.”
Grover obviously believes in Bryant’s ability to get back to playing at the level we’ve come to expect from Kobe over the years, but he also credits Bryant’s mindset and unbelievable dedication and work ethic as reasons why he anticipates a strong return from Kobe.
“This guy is relentless in his pursuit to get himself better and go after the ultimate goal. That is the point that we are trying to get at is that anybody can be like that. It’s not about the physical. In continuing to work hard, it’s a mental battle. We say the mind controls the body, the body doesn’t control the mind. If you can mentally push yourself through these different barriers that are going to be put in front of you then you can achieve whatever you are trying to get to.”
So while Kobe continues to recover, Grover will be there helping him along the way. He also stated that Bryant told him he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get back on the court and return to playing at an All-Star level.
But in the end, the question directed to Grover that everybody wants to know the answer to was asked.
Will Kobe come back better than ever?
“Yes.”
Works for me.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
In case you missed it, be sure to check out what Antawn Jamison said about facing the Spurs without Kobe Bryant!
Don’t forget to click here to subscribe to our Lakers Nation YouTube Channel!
