Alex Rodriguez Reveals That Kobe Bryant Almost Retired Because of His Balky Knee

Modern technology saved Kobe's career.

Photo Removed
Complex Original

Blank pixel used during image takedowns

Photo Removed

A couple months ago, we told you about how Kobe Bryant had convinced Alex Rodriguez to undergo experimental therapy in Germany to cure his ailing right knee. What we didn't know at that time, though, was that KB24 convinced A-Rod by basically saying that he would have had to retire from the game of basketball if he hadn't undergone the therapy on his own knee. Over the weekend, the Yankees third baseman told a group of reporters that Kobe was seriously contemplating retirement after last season.

"He was really adamant about how great the procedure was for him," Rodriguez said. "I know that he was hurting before, almost even thinking about retirement, that's how much pain he was under. And then he said after he went to Germany, he felt like a 27-year-old again. I was still a little apprehensive about it and he kept staying on me about it."

Let's hope Kobe owns some stock in the company or something. Because, coming from one of the great basketball players of all-time, that's quite the endorsement. Then again, the procedure did add years of life to his career. So, call it even?

[via Eye On Basketball]

Follow @Complex_Sports for more news and commentary.

Latest in Sports