Kobe Bryant, like the great athletes before him, study and adapt their games to put them in the best position to be successful.
Bryant is now 36, and will likely never have the springs that he once had. In order to make himself as productive as he can be, Bryant is stealing a page from Michael Jordan, and evolving his game.
According to James Herbert of Eye on Basketball, Bryant is studying Paul Pierce’s game to help himself become more efficient as he loses a step.
In preparing for this season, Bryant told friends that the player he is analyzing, as an example of adjusting your game as you get older, is fellow 36-year-old Paul Pierce. This is part of his goal to become “more efficient” on the court.
Said Bryant, “I’m going to max [my last two years] out too, to do whatever I can. Leave no stone unturned, no water left in the sponge.”
All eyes will be on Bryant to see if he’s done, simply a pretty good player, or a guy who’ll become an efficient assassin well into his 40’s.
Studying Pierce is an excellent move in my opinion. Pierce lost his explosiveness and ability to be a high-flyer years ago. He’s still been able to remain efficient even as he closes in on 40-years of age.