Grover has been Bryant’s trainer since 2007. He’s nursed him back from all sorts of serious injuries and helped him find a work-around to knee issues that once threatened the guard's career. So long as Bryant had the will to do the training and attack the problems, Grover would give him solutions and courses of action. Grover stated, “I knew it was something serious.”
Grover's Words:
Grover's Words:
“It didn’t hurt me as much as it hurt him, but it’s pretty close. I just know how much this means to him and how hard he’s worked to be in this position.”
“Kobe always wants to know everything. Every detail. Why we’re doing this? What our options are? He’s very detail-oriented.”
“This is going to be a mental battle of whether he wants to go through this or he doesn't want to go through this. Forget the age thing, how many minutes he's played, if he gets in that single mind and says, 'I want to do this. I'm going to do this.' Then we've won the battle."
“He’s insatiable in his desire to work . . . No one in the game today works harder or invests more in his body.”
Grover was recommended by his longtime client Michael Jordan after Jordan retired, and has been essentially been at Bryant’s side ever since. But a torn Achilles tendon was something altogether different for Grover. There are no strengthening exercises to get you back on the court in a few days. You can’t push through the pain. You’re just out, for a good long while.
Grover knew this would be challenging to over-come so he started preparing himself just a few hours after the injury. He researched everything to be able to give Kobe options and allowed him time to think it all through. He was there to help answer any questions and help him make the best decisions for the future.
Was it better to have surgery right away or wait?
Are there options besides surgery?
How long would the recovery take?
Who has made the best recovery from a similar injury?
Kobe is clearly up to the challenge. The biggest issue will be slowing him down enough to allow the injury to heal before building him back up. That trait is what separates athletes like Kobe, Jordan and Dwyane Wade from other superstars. They have a relentless drive, and then they act on it.
Grover knew this would be challenging to over-come so he started preparing himself just a few hours after the injury. He researched everything to be able to give Kobe options and allowed him time to think it all through. He was there to help answer any questions and help him make the best decisions for the future.
Was it better to have surgery right away or wait?
Are there options besides surgery?
How long would the recovery take?
Who has made the best recovery from a similar injury?
Kobe is clearly up to the challenge. The biggest issue will be slowing him down enough to allow the injury to heal before building him back up. That trait is what separates athletes like Kobe, Jordan and Dwyane Wade from other superstars. They have a relentless drive, and then they act on it.
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