Kobe Bryant Blog

Today was a clutch day for Kobe Bryant. The only difference – he wasn’t doing big things ON the court, but made an impact OFF the court.

Kobe and Vanessa Bryant announced today the official formation of the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families in need. Focusing on youth homelessness in Los Angeles as its first initiative, funds raised by the Foundation will support organizations and programs that transform the lives of homeless youth and families by helping to create permanent housing and providing resources for education and career development.

“On my way to games, I noticed children and families living on the streets blocks away from where I play and it didn’t sit well with me,” said Kobe Bryant. “I wanted to help make a difference in homelessness and what better place to start than in my own back yard,” he added.

More information on Bryant’s non-profit organization can be found at their official website here: http://kvbff.org

Gary Vitti, who has been with the Lakers franchise for the past 27 years as the Lakers head athletic trainer, sat down with Lakers.com to discuss many topics.
Mostly the conversation was about the knee that Bryant was doing rehab on during the off-season, and well into training camp. Bryant was not able to participate in training camp, and was held back from practicing with the team during the season so he could sustain his energy and health in games.
However, in Kobe Bryant’s exit interview he said he was looking forward to an off-season in which he was healthy, and that there was “another level” that he can now reach physically (without having to worry about rehab).
Vitti talked about the possibility of Kobe Bryant, who turns 33 years-old in August, coming back healthier and better then he was in the 10-11 season.
We have to do some things so that he feels more comfortable and explosive with that right knee that he’s had repetitive surgeries on. Once we get to that place, then we’d like to see him practice more, but we don’t want the time that he spends on the court being spent on frivolous things. You gotta get him out there when he needs to be out there, and get him off the floor when he doesn’t. It’s more about quality time than quantity time…There are a couple of cards we have up our sleeve that we plan on playing, and he and I have been in daily communication about that.”
Vitti also talked specifically what the problem is with Kobe’s knee. Saying that he has a “articulating cartilage problem” adding that, “Kobe doesn’t have an arthritic knee, but he has a knee that has some joint degeneration to it.”
He also silenced reports that the New York Post reported in January that Kobe’s right knee was “almost bone on bone”
Vitti explained, “He does have cartilage left, so it was an inappropriate line. It’s just a question of preserving what [cartilage] is still there.”

Related posts:
Kobe Bryant named to All-NBA First Team

Kobe Bryant was named to the All-NBA First Team, for the sixth straight season, and ninth time in his career.
Bryant averaged 25.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game this season. Bryant is tied with Tim Duncan for most First Team selections by active players.
Another Laker was honored as Pau Gasol was named to the All- NBA Second team. Gasol averaged 18.8 points 10.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
The All-NBA Teams were chosen by a panel of 119 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. (Andrew Bynum also received 9 votes).
Check out the results below courtesy Lakers.com:


2010-11 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points
Forward LeBron James, Miami (119) 595
Forward Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City (69) 492
Center Dwight Howard, Orlando (118) 593
Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (98) 551
Guard Derrick Rose, Chicago (118) 593


2010-11 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points
Forward Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers (2) 259
Forward Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas (47) 437
Center Amar’e Stoudemire, New York (2) 258
Guard Dwyane Wade, Miami (24) 392
Guard Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City 184


2010-11 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM

Position Player, Team (1st Team Votes) Points
Forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland 135
Forward Zach Randolph, Memphis 67
Center Al Horford, Atlanta 62
Guard Manu Ginobili, San Antonio 106 Guard
Chris Paul, New Orleans 157