Kobe Bryant provides training tips with Nike Pro Answers

Too much uncertainty lingers around Kobe Bryant like a pesky defender that just will not go away.

To what degree will Bryant heal his fractured left knee? How much can he sustain his health enough to last through the 2014-15 season? To do so, will Bryant have to play limited minutes? And how much will Bryant’s game drop off should he avoid suffering significant injuries for the second consecutive year?

No concrete answer will emerge until Bryant steps on the basketball court in a competitive game in the Lakers’ season opener in late October or early November, marking the first time in nearly 11 months that ever happened.

But for now, both the Lakers and Bryant are leaning on his superior fundamentals in shot-creating, nifty footwork and post-presence to mitigate any drop in his play. As he demonstrated in four training videos with NikeProAnswers.com, Bryant shares his smart vision on how he uses such skills to maintain his standing as one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers.

Bryant stresses the need to vary footwork so defenders cannot sit on his moves. He details how to vary the trajectory of his shot so he ward off lengthy arms. Bryant explains how to use varying angles to ensure consistency with his bankshot. He goes over how to stay in a triple-threat position to maximize his scoring chances.

All of these skills are basic fundamentals. But they are ones Bryant has perfected over most others, and traits he hopes will ensure staying among the NBA’s elite despite the never-ending uncertainty surrounding the rest of his game.

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