With a torn Achilles tendon, Kobe was sidelined for the remainder of the last season while the team was attempting to lock up a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Ultimately, the Lakers played their way into the postseason without Kobe in the lineup, but were swept by the San Antonio Spurs and faced a lot of uncertainty heading into the off-season.
The major concern was Kobe’s health and whether or not he’d be able to return at some point next season or if he’d be able to continue playing at an elite level.
While making an incredible recovery from surgery to repair the torn Achilles, Kobe has been doing his best to prove to all the doubters that he’ll be back to form much earlier than anticipated. One of Kobe’s attempts to prove he was making considerable progress in his recovery was jumping off a 40-foot high dive into a pool.
Apparently, longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti wasn’t all that happy about Kobe’s dive via Mark Medina of the LA Daily News:
Bryant jumped off a 40-foot high dive, something he soon posted on Vine, a social media video player.
“I wasn’t real happy with it,” Vitti said. “I initially thought it was like when he jumped over the car.”
Obviously, Kobe jumping into a pool at that speed from that height had a lot of people concerned as it probably wasn’t the wisest of decisions by the five-time NBA champion.
Despite Vitti not exactly happy with Kobe’s dive, the veteran shooting guard continues to make progress in his recovery and should be back in the lineup for the Lakers earlier than expected. Although Kobe would like to return for the season opener against the division rival Los Angeles Clippers, returning in late November or early December appears to be more realistic.
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