Hard workers dive for loose balls, in my book. Kobe is a great player ans I am sure he works hard in the off season but I do not see a new trick every off season like some past hard workers. Jordan developed a fadeaway over time, Bird was a way harder worker. What has Kobe developed new over an off season except another way to cheap shot someone?
Come on man. Kobe's game has changed dramatically as he's gotten older. It's more ground based, with more mid-post set ups. Kobe has a rep for being the hardest worker in the game because he puts in the time and the results he gets are spectacular for a guy that age with that many minutes.
Not many guards with 16 years and 50,000 minute in have been able to convert almost 70% of their layups/dunks. Kobe takes about a third of his FGAs right at the rim. You don't do that at his age and mileage unless you're in supreme condition physically.
I'm not a fan of Kobe Bryant, but there's no denying his work ethic and conditioning. As far as not diving for loose balls and taking charges, Kobe has made a conscious decision to not do so for the greater good of his health. That's not something I endorse, but it has worked for him, since he's missed only 9% of games in his career, one of the lowest rates for a superstar. Kobe's idol, Michael Jordan, missed only eight games in 12 seasons with the Bulls, subtracting his second season when he had the knee operation, and the games he missed in his return season. He played all 82 games eight times with the Bulls, and once with the Wiz.
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