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Lakers' Kobe Bryant will do whatever it takes
All-Star guard went to Germany twice in the off-season for innovative procedures on his knee
and ankle. Then he tore a ligament in his wrist. He says he will play in the season opener
Sunday.
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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant played through pain last season, including a playoff battle against eventual champion
Dallas, and he'll open this season with an injured right wrist. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Related photos »
ALSO
By Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner
December 24, 2011 , 6:20 p.m.
Kobe Bryant felt his body falling apart, so he did something
about it. Twice.
Photos: Kobe Bryant through the years
Call him Scrooge if you like, but Jim
Buss believes in Lakers
Bryant went to Germany on two occasions during the offseason, The Times has learned, undergoing innovative
procedures on his ailing right knee and, in a previously
unreported development, his chronically troublesome left
ankle, according to people with knowledge of the situation
who were not authorized to speak publicly.
Bryant aggravated his ankle while moving across the lane on
defense in the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the
New Orleans Hornets last season. It was a non-contact injury,
his foot buckling under him without any contact. He left the
arena that night on crutches but did not sit out any games.
PHOTOS: Kobe Bryant through the years
Up next for the Lakers: Sunday vs.
Chicago
He visited molecular orthopedist Peter Wehling about six
weeks later in Duesseldorf to get treatment on an arthritic
joint in his knee, as The Times first reported. After deeming it
a success, Bryant went to see Wehling for his ankle around
the time of a promotional appearance for Nike in Italy in
October.
Bryant, 33, has noticed the difference, recently saying his
physical improvement would be a "huge plus" for the Lakers.
Acquisition of Chris Paul boosts
Clippers' ticket sales
"I feel a lot stronger and a lot quicker and able to get to the
basket and free-throw line," he said.
Anecdotal evidence was provided by others as well.
Lakers need a Texas-sized turnaround
"He's done some things in practice that have kind of wowed
you as far as taking the ball to the basket strong and finishing
with dunks in traffic," new Lakers Coach Mike Brown said.
Said teammate Pau Gasol: "He looks really aggressive. He's
eager to play."
Lakers' Kobe Bryant: Wrist 'should be
fine' for him to play in opener
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However, in the Lakers' exhibition opener against the Clippers
on Monday, Bryant sustained a torn ligament in his right wrist
while trying to break a fall. He didn't play in Wednesday's
game, but he took part in practice the last two days and
planned to play in the season opener Sunday against the
Chicago Bulls at Staples Center.
Bryant underwent the knee and ankle procedures after taking
a serious look at his age, body and enormous playing time in a
career about to begin its 16th season. He has logged 40,163
minutes in the regular season and an additional 8,163 in the
playoffs, the combined total putting him 16th in NBA history.
After this season, Bryant has two years and $58.3 million left
on his contract.
Wehling's procedure is marketed as Regenokine or Orthokine, and it appears from afar to be related
to the more well-known platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
Wehling's procedure differs because it targets interleukin, proteins or molecules that cause
inflammatory responses. Blood is removed from the affected area of a patient and spun in a
centrifuge. The antagonists of interleukin are removed to create a serum that is injected back into the
targeted area.
The Lakers' medical staff researched Wehling's process and made the calculated decision with Bryant
to undergo the initial procedure. Before going to Germany, Bryant had three knee surgeries since
2003, including one in July 2010 to remove unspecified loose bodies.
Bryant played all 92 of the Lakers' games last season but averaged only 33.9 minutes, his lowest since
his second season. He rarely practiced with the team and averaged 25.3 points a game, his fewest
since 2003-04.
After the Lakers were swept by the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals, Bryant
talked about "a wasted year of my life," appearing angry and sorry that he didn't catch Michael Jordan
at six championship rings. He also spoke of the need to "train and get strong" during the off-season.
Bryant has been in a better mood since the team gathered again almost three weeks ago. He seemed
to know something on the first day of training camp, smiling confidently when asked by a reporter
how he felt.
"You'll see," he said.
mike.bresnahan@latimes.com
twitter.com/Mike_Bresnahan
broderick.turner@latimes.com
twitter.com/BA_Turner
Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times
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Comments (27)
Add / View comments | Discussion FAQ
loyolamd82 at 1:28 PM December 25, 2011
Well, that's the ticket: Anecdotal medicine for a gifted athlete.
Unless your wife plays high-level NBA basketball... Then why not?
jazzman201 at 1:09 PM December 25, 2011
What a load of rubbish! He's still sulking over the Odom trade.
Suck it up, Princess!
basybesma at 11:14 AM December 25, 2011
"Lakers' Kobe Bryant will do whatever it takes" - to get laid
"Lakers' Kobe Bryant will do whatever it takes" - to hit that
"Lakers' Kobe Bryant will do whatever it takes" - to cheat on his wife
"Lakers' Kobe Bryant will do whatever it takes" - to fail his children
"Lakers' Kobe Bryant will do whatever it takes" - to fall short of being a roll model to children
"Lakers' Kobe Bryant will do whatever it takes" - to fall short of his potential as a man
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