Kobe Bryant is finally healthy enough to participate in the United States Mens Basketball Team Olympic run. Last year Kobe was having knee surgery when Team USA was playing their qualifying games against the worlds elite. Everyone is excited, from the chairman Jerry Colangelo to head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Even the players are happy to have Kobe in the squad.
Coach Krzyzewski was quoted on espn saying, “Kobe’s as good a player as there is on the planet, and he’s a very team-oriented player, I think he’s as good defensively as he is offensively, so that’s a nice thing to have.” When you get that much praise from your head coach you have to be positive. Kobe has been showing up to the mini camps early and energetic, he is really excited to play for the United States at this level. This is really one of the things he is missing from his career accomplishments. He has the 3 championships, he was the peoples champ when it came to the MVP candidate, and he got his 2 scoring titles. A gold medal would really be icing on the cake. It would make him very well rounded, as far as a career. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Larry Bird all got their gold medals while having legendary careers. Now Kobe has the opportunity to be in that same class.
About Kobe’s attitude despite the summer hoopla regarding Mitch Kupchaks lower than average job as Lakers general manager. Jerry Colangelo was quoted saying, “He’s just focused, committed, excited. His presence makes a big difference, it really does. Put it this way: I think his intent is to make up for the times that he wasn’t here.”
Kobe wants it, he wants that gold medal bad. And he doesn’t let what’s going on in LA get to him. When TJ Simers asked him about the current situation with the Lakers, Kobe simply replied, “talk to Mitch.”
He is focused, focused on his first Team USA appearance on August 22nd, one day before his 29th birthday on the 23rd.
Video of Kobe Bryant working out during a Team USA basketball camp
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