Michael Phelps Can Learn Some Things From L.A. Laker's Kobe Bryant

Recently, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The one-time darling of the summer games was caught smoking weed in a photo published by a British tabloid.

Ever since then, Phelps has been suspended by USA Swimming, and lost his endorsement deal with Kellogg's, worth millions.

Some believe other endorsements could run away from Phelps as well in the coming weeks, especially if they feel the pressure from the public.

But as a 23-year-old on top of his sport, people often forget Phelps is just a kid. If he needs to really ask anyone how it feels to get built up, torn down, and rebuild again, he should call L.A. Lakers' Kobe Bryant.

Its been nearly six years since I remember turning on the television and saw this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSamEqtPVao

After that, the image of Kobe Bryant would never be the same. In the years that have passed since, Bryant has evolved into the best player in the NBA on the court, and kept himself out of trouble off the court.

The millions of endorsement dollars Bryant once lost have slowly began to return, and his popularity among the youth is at an all-time high. His career has come near full circle.

At the time of the rape allegations, Bryant was playing alongside center Shaquille O’ Neal, a duo that led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles.

After the rape allegations, his team, just like his image, went through a rebuilding phase. Amidst it all, Bryant’s unparalleled determination to be the absolute best shone through.

As he strives to once again bring a championship to the Lakers franchise, his image has been re-established in the eyes of corporate America once again.

Bryant has the No. 1 NBA jersey sold this season, and according to CNNMoney, earned over $16 million in endorsements last year, which was second to LeBron James.

2008 saw a bevy of Bryant on the screen, including new commercials for Nike, Nintendo, and the NBA.

So while Michael Phelps right now is in the doghouse, I have no doubt by the time the 2012 Olympics come around people will forget about Phelps' smoking preferences, and will once again be cheering him on to break the records he set this past summer.