Kobe Bryant: Why L.A. Lakers Star Benefits from Extended NBA Lockout

Kobe Bryant is easily one of the toughest players in the Association. He is the NBA’s iron man, as he plays year in and year out with a myriad of injuries—fingers to knees to ankles and even a boo-boo to the back of his head after sliding into one of the chairs courtside at the Staples Center.

Today, we wake up from a difficult night of sleep, as the current lockout haunts our every thought. We have nightmares of the looming possibility of missing the entire 2011 season.

Yet Kobe sleeps tight as he now recuperates from offseason knee surgery in Germany.

According to Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times:

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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has taken an unusual step to try to strengthen his ailing right knee, undergoing an innovative procedure in Germany about a month ago, according to four people familiar with the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly. The treatment is a derivation of platelet-rich plasma therapy. PRP procedures are less invasive than many surgeries involving the knee and are viewed as either an emerging solution to knee problems or a financial gamble on unproven science.

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Kobe looked visibly aged, bruised and battered during the postseason for the first time in his illustrious career. It was the first time doubt ever crossed my mind regarding the future Hall of Famer’s abilities on the court.

Attempting a fourth-straight Finals appearance clearly took its toll on his body, which is why an extended offseason works in his favor, but an extended lockout would prove to be his fountain of youth.

Kobe, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and the rapidly aging superstars of their ilk might be wishing for the entire season to be lost so they can heal their bodies and regain lost form. An extended lockout would extend their careers and allow them to come back in 2012 rejuvenated and ready for a legitimate championship run.

Two to three months off is simply not enough time to rest for these men, especially Bryant, as he will need to regain lost strength in his knee.

If we are forced to miss a season, we can only expect Bryant to come back feeling five, maybe 10 years younger than he does now. He would dominate this league once again, as he would return healthier than he has been in years, quicker, stronger and more mentally prepared.

The current crop of superstars—Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade—should be worried less about lost time or potential pay cuts due to the potential lengthy lockout and more about the return of the Black Mamba unleashed from his cage.