Former Laker Mark Madsen quickly went from D-Fenders head coach hire to assistant coach under Mike D’Antoni this summer. Madsen recently talked about his reunion with the Lakers, his coaching plans, and what he expects from this season’s roster.
During the past season, Kobe come under scrutiny for his leadership style, especially when it came to Dwight Howard. But although everyone isn’t equipped to handle the Kobe’s style of teaching, assistant coach Mark Madsen absolutely did. Kobe and Madsen played a number of years ago, and Madsen attributed Bryant to making him a better overall player:
“I’m grateful to have had Kobe as a teammate, because he helped me grow. There were times when he put his arm around me after a tough loss, and other times where he pushed me to be the best I could be. I think he has a nice combination of knowing when to pat somebody on the back, and when to get after somebody. I was a better player because of Kobe.”
Want to know more about Kobe’s Achilles surgery? According to Bryant, his procedure was much different than the usual procedure, which generally has a recovery period of 9-12 months. He described the procedure as both “simple” and “innovative.” Check out this video to see how Kobe’s procedure was so different from the norm.
If you are wondering how Kobe’s recovery time is going, good news! Bryant decided that he should share some of his progress by Instagramming one of his rehab exercises — doing toe curls with marbles. Kobe’s video shoes how his foot is strengthening, and he is regaining flexibility in the limb. Excellent progress.
Bryant is currently with Nike in China and appears to be walking around and touring very well. Kobe has a massive following and enjoyed some sights while entertaining his fans. His Instagram has been loaded with photos from his trip, where he got to see the Terracotta Army.
The NBA released it’s schedule today, and Metta World Peace will return to Staples Center on March 25, when his hometown New York Knicks take on the Lakers. I am sure Metta will be welcomed with open arms. Lakers fans should, and will, give him the ovation he deserves.
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Lakers Nation News
Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Revenge Game Against Atlanta On November 3
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VIDEO: Kobe Goes In-Depth About His Innovative Achilles Surgery
Mark Madsen Says He “Was A Better Player” Because Of Kobe Bryant
Mike D’Antoni Explains Decision To Play Howard, Bench Gasol Last Season
Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Does Toe Curls With Marbles
Lakers News: Kobe Bryant Is Enjoying Nike Tour In China
Lakers News
Kobe Says He ‘Shattered’ Achilles Recovery Timetable [Silver Screen and Roll]
Mike D’Antoni says Dwight Howard Affected Decisions He Made With Pau Gasol [Silver Screen and Roll]
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Dwight’s Departure Could Mean Pau’s Resurgence [ESPN]
Lakers, NBA Schedule to be Announced Tuesday Afternoon [Lakers Now]
D’Antoni Hints of Agenda in Lakers’ Use of Howard, Gasol [Eye on Basketball]
Listen to Metta World Peace’s New Single, ‘Peace’ [For The Win]
Nick Young vs. Jordan Crawford at Drew League (VIDEO) [ProBasketballTalk]
The Forum: How Much for Kobe? [ESPN]
2013-14 NBA Schedule: Heat Face Lakers on Christmas Day [USA Today]
D’Antoni on Lakers Emphasizing Dwight Over Pau [Ball Don’t Lie]
Kurt Rambis Not Sure How Fast Lakers Can Play Next Season [ProBasketballTalk]
Phoenix Suns Purchase Hilarious Web Address [For The Win]
Mad Dog 1-on-1 [THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS]
Phoenix Suns Purchase ‘beat.la’ Domain Name [Lakers Now]
Can Gasol, Nash Regain Form? [ESPN]
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Celtics’ Sullinger Cleared to Resume Basketball Activity [ProBasketballTalk]
The Top 10 NBA “Homecomings” You Should Be Excited About This Season [Dime Magazine]
Eye on Basketball Podcast: Schedule and Wolves’ Offseason [Eye on Basketball]
Gerald Henderson on Re-Signing with Charlotte Bobcats — It Can Only Improve [ESPN]
Bucks Going Young and GM Likes It [Yahoo Sports]
Suns Could Use the Stretch Provision to Painlessly Rid Themselves of Michael Beasley [ProBasketballTalk]
2013 Offseason Report: Minnesota Timberwolves [CBS Sports]
Watch JaVale McGee Terrorize Pedestrians with Car Horn [For The Win]
2013-14 NBA Schedule: 10 Can’t-Miss Games [USA Today]
Shaq Impersonates Bane, Family Guy’s Stewie & Terminator [Dime Magazine]
A Few Early Highlights from NBA Rookie Photo Shoot [ProBasketballTalk]
The NBA, A-through-Z: Atlanta Hawks [Ball Don’t Lie]
Former All-Star Chris Gatling Pleads Guilty in Squatting Scam [ESPN]
Stephen Curry Takes Zumba Class With Dozens of Middle-Aged Women [Eye on Basketball]
Chris Paul Says Clippers Will Go as Far as Griffin Takes Them [ProBasketballTalk]
5 Best Tweets from the Nerlens Noel @USATODAYSports Twitter Takeover [For The Win]