I didn’t feel [like I could jump the same way once I returned]. I felt like if I jumped too hard or pushed too hard off my ankle, that it would pop again. That was all mental. Once I got through that part, I told myself, You know what? If this thing is going to pop, it’s going to pop. But I’m going to play hard. I’m going to go off of it hard. I felt funny mentally. But physically, it was repaired better than ever. In fact, it was three times stronger than my other Achilles.
Brand:
[It was] just a regular dribble move, trying to go to the basket. Similar to Kobe’s, but slower, at my speed. I felt a loud bang, and it felt like someone kicked me. I went down, and you have no control over your foot. The connection from your ankle to your foot, you have no control. Everybody’s had an ankle injury. Everyone has a knee injury — most players. So you know that is something different. You know you can’t raise it. That’s what’s amazing. [Kobe] knocked down two free throws. He must have shot flat-footed. You cannot rise on your toes after you tear your Achilles. That’s one of the tests, when they touch your calf in the back and there’s no reaction. Usually, your foot would react, but if it just hangs, then they know it’s separated or torn.
[Rehab is] tedious. It’s a lot of work. We all know Kobe’s work ethic, so that’s not a problem for him. When I came back, I was explosive, for me, anyway. I felt pretty good. That summer, the atrophy kind of set in, and I didn’t have the strength going on from there. But when I first got back, it was pretty good. It was probably eight months.
I was in a boot for a few weeks, then started the rehab. But that’s when the atrophy and stuff starts to set in. [Kobe’s trainer] Tim Grover told me about a machine that he could buy directly for this type of thing, and this was six years ago. Kobe is the greatest of my era, and if anybody can get close to 100 percent, he will find a way.
Billups:
This is a big challenge for him, as it was for me. He’s going to be perfectly fine. He’s going to get back to playing at a high level next season, at some point, and be able to prove to everybody his toughness and his will.
Grantland
Like the comments from 'Nique really.
+ 
= 
