Badrtalei wasn't sure Bryant would be receptive. He'd seen the intense way Bryant judged anyone and anything around him. He saw how Bryant would banish fellow pros or prospects from working out with him if they didn't compete to his level. And after one practice, Kobe would make a call and say, 'Don't ever send this guy to work out with me again,'" Badrtalei says.
He would see if you would get comfortable with him. That would be his test. The people who he carried around him were never comfortable. He liked it when people would get comfortable because then he knew who you really were. After working through some prototypes and redesigns for which Bryant suggested an air valve so the ice could remain tight to the skin even after it started melting, eventually there was Bryant wearing the black wraps on his knees on the Lakers bench.
Katz called them Hyperice, playing off the shoes Bryant was wearing at the time, the Nike Hyperdunk. Within a short time, numerous other pro athletes had taken notice and were trying to get their hands on the product. LeBron James tried it and instantly wanted several dozen. Blake Griffin used it and was so impressed that he became one of the company's first investors. He thought it was an advantage," Katz says. NFL players soon followed, after running back Adrian Peterson got the equipment from University of Oklahoma friend Griffin, and it became a mainstay in pro locker rooms.
Katz decided to make it his full-time job, launched a website and set up a company so he didn't have to fill orders with his phone. He started manufacturing other recovery products, including vibrating foam rollers and portable heating pads. Bryant worked with Katz over the years in developing the products, all of them with Bryant's needs in mind as he headed into the twilight years of his career.
When Bryant tore his Achilles in , Katz made him a special icing sleeve for his ankle. As he rehabbed, Bryant would have long conversations with Katz about the business, sometimes texting to ask about ideas in the middle of the night. They talked about business, Quentin Tarantino movies and kids.
Many professional athletes have turned to prolotherapy in Los Angeles for treatment after an injury. Kobe Bryant may be one of the most prevalent examples of a professional athlete that recently turned to this form of treatment. Kobe used a form of regenerative restorative injection therapy or prolotherapy to strengthen his weakening knee.
Overall, the Shock Doctor is a very popular knee brace among rehabbing basketball players because it provides a lot of support while still being comfortable enough for long basketball sessions. Final Thoughts If you are rehabbing a serious knee injury, talk to your doctor before you do anything. But, getting a knee brace like the Shock Doctor that increases stability and prevents unnatural movements is a great protection against further injuries.
If your prime concern is knee pain during games, or if you want to protect yourself from bruises, I would advise you to get the McDavid These knee pads combine the benefits of knee sleeves with additional padding and are a must-have for every basketball player that plays with reckless abandon. Your email address will not be published.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are different reasons why basketball players wear protective gear on their knees: To reduce chronic pain caused by the immense burden put on the knees in basketball To prevent bruises caused by collisions and hard falls To provide support after a significant knee injury like an ACL tear In this article, I am going to help you find the knee pads, sleeves or braces that are best for each scenario.
Nike Pro Hyperstong Knee Sleeve 3. Keeps muscles compressed and warm Slick design. Best Price:. Buy from Eastbay. Buy Now. These links are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices last updated on November 11, Very comfortable due to open patella Perfect for basketball players that suffer from chronic knee pain. Protects you during collisions and falls Padding provides a confidence boost for players that like to attack the basket. Buy on Amazon. Similar to McDavid but offers additional compression of calves and thighs Comes in various colors.
Protects knees from hyper-extending Very good protection at a fair price. Protection: star star star. How to size your Shock Doctor Knee Brace. Made by the 1 company when it comes to basketball, the Nike Pro Combat knee sleeve will keep your muscles warm, compressed and ready for action. If you have chronic pain from patellar tendonitis or due to the excessive stress put on your knees, these knee sleeves can save you from a lot of discomfort.
Plus they look really cool. Shock Doctor is a company known for high-quality protective sports equipment. Knee Pads are often referred to as padded knee sleeves, and with good reason. Compared to the , the McDavid is a larger leg sleeve that includes pads at the knees.
The steel hinges on both sides of this knee brace protect against excessive lateral movement and therefore help to stave off re-injuries to the side ligaments in the knee, mainly the MCL and LCL. In addition, the hinges feature a stopper that prevents knees from hyper-extending.
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