Current NBA Superstars Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade have all lost considerable weight this season. They all cite Kobe Bryant for the change in their physique.

Apart from the fact that these players were all drafted in 2003, considered part of the best players in the last decade, and played for the Olympics, they also share the trend in weight loss in the offseason.

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James and Anthony have reportedly cut carbs and lost 10 to 12 pounds. Wade stated that he was already much lighter than he was a season ago. They all took this trend from the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant.

During the 2007 season, Bryant was at the cusp of turning 30; the same position that Bryant sees himself now. Bryan lost 20 pounds then and won two titles, averaged 27 points per game, and missed only nine of 246 regular season games.

The book "Stumbling on Wins" cites a study saying that players who have turned 30 have had a significant decline in their performance.

Players from 29 to 30 have an 11% decline, 30 to 31 year olds have a 15% decline, 22% for 31 to 32, and 35% for 32 to 33. The study confirms that the performance of players declines with age.

Bryant has extended his prime considerably by losing weight, being lighter at 34 years of age than when he was 28 years old.

He went on to lose an additional 16 pounds in the summer of 2012 when he played in the Olympics alongside Bryant, Anthony, and Wade.

San Antonio superstar Tim Duncan also found success by losing weight. He had lost a total of 20 pounds in 2012, extending his prime and winning the title last season.

Just as current NBA players have imitated legends like Michael Jordan and Larry Bird, the future generations will surely imitate what Bryant has done.

TagsLebron James, carmelo anthony, Dwyane Wade