Kobe Bryant included in the US Basketball team for London Olympics 2012 - NBA Update
The London Olympics are just around the corner and the US basketball team recently announced its 20 man squad that will be heading to UK in July to defend their title.
As expected, amongst the pool of players is the beloved Los Angeles Lakers super star Kobe Bryant.
Bryant, whohas been fighting with injuries since last year and for which he also made two trips to Germany for a platelet rich plasma therapy, is motivated to represent his country.
US team’s coach Mike Krzyzewski, while announcing the squad, praised Kobe’s commitment for his country over the years. Aware of Kobe’s injury issues, Mike still maintained Kobe is a fighter and only a serious injury can force him out of the Olympics. He further added
"I think Kobe really wants to be in London and again, depending on injury, that will be his choice but, it would have to be something very, very serious (to keep him out). I know he has a number of years still left but I know he would want another Olympic championship. He's about championships and we need him.”
US Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, who was seated along with Mike during the announcement, had the same views. He said, Kobe’s health would be monitored throughout this season and the decision to include him in the final 12 will be on the basis of his fitness level at that time.
"Obviously, he's such a competitor, he'll do anything to play and he would take any role he was asked to take. We'll watch him as closely as we can. We don't want to put him in any jeopardy whatsoever, and we won't."
Bryant, who had an injury plagued last season, faced a major setback at the start of this shortened season when he injured his wrist in one of Los Angeles Lakers earlier games. However, the injury did not stop him from scoring big, as he has already accumulated four 40 plus tallies so far in the season.
Good thing for him, his team and the US, is that his wrist is healing fast and hopefully he would recover completely within few days or weeks.
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