Mike Trudell: Tim, I know you sit down with Byron Scott and Mitch Kupchak to go over what they’re looking for before creating offseason programs for the players. What’s the process from that point?
Tim DiFrancesco: It’s a case-by-case basis. Every guy is different in how they approach their offseasons, with the younger guys having less say than the veterans. I’ll dictate more to the young guys, where the veterans know what they’re doing in most cases. The program I’ll put in totally varies from player-to-player based on many things. MT: Is it an advantage for you that so many NBA players live in or spend time in Los Angeles in the offseason?
DiFrancesco: I would say yes. For a lot of other teams, the strength coach will have to take trips all over the place to various hometowns for the players. But it’s pretty common that guys are in and out of L.A., if not here for most of the time. It’s a great place to be in the summer. We can accomplish a lot more...
Kobe Bryant has spent nearly two decades mesmerizing us with his tenacity, athleticism, and iron will. While he will always be known for his ability to score the basketball and win championships, it might be his knack for playing through pain that has been most impressive. Throughout his hall of fame career he has defied the limitations of the human body and pushed forward through injuries that would have stopped lesser players from lacing up their high tops.
Bryant has played through sprained ankles, tweaked knees, broken fingers, and nearly everything else imaginable without missing a beat. It was as though Kobe could will himself to find a way to get the job done, to adapt and overcome when it seemed to be impossible for him to step onto the court, and in doing so he brought five championships to the city of Los Angeles. He seemed...
