Kobe Bryant Sheds 16 Pounds to Help Old Man Knees Going Into Olympics, Says He Enjoys Aging

It's not Charles Barkley's Weight Watchers, but Kobe Bryant is slimming down.

Bryant told the Guardian that he lost 16 pounds coming into this summer's Olympic Games in an effort to help his aging knees — and be prepared for next year's NBA Finals, which he's fully planning to be a part of.

"With summer basketball leading directly into the season — and I'm expecting to play until next June — I have to take some load off my knees," he said. "I've got to shave some of this weight."

Bryant, 33, has been involved in some experimental treatment to repair the cartilage in his knees, a process he said has worked wonders in making his legs more sprightly for the long NBA season and beyond. It's one of many changes he's made to stay ahead of injuries late in his career.

"I have some gray hairs on my head, but the problem is that my hair won't grow anymore," Bryant said. "The aging thing is something I really enjoy. It's a challenge because you have to adjust some things. You have to change your diet. You have to change the speed with which you play. It's fun to approach that bridge."

Kobe Bryant, approaching old age like it's another opponent to take down? Sounds about right.