Kobe Bryant to Team USA: Dream On

​Five-time NBA champion, back-to-back Finals MVP and gold-medal Olympian Kobe Bryant is the latest Team USA superstar to announce he won't suit up for this summer's World Championships in Turkey.

The Black Mamba of Newport Coast needs the time off to mend his sore, tired and broken body.

As the Stones cover band put it, "What a drag it is getting old."

Photo by Christopher Victorio

Kobe Bryant, either flashing "LA" or trying to separate his broken fingers from one another, at the 2010 Lakers victory parade last month.

​Bryant, who flies to games and practices at the Staples Center in a helicopter at the ready at John Wayne Airport so his achy knees won't stiffen up, had hinted he would not play at the world games after the Lakers defeated Boston in the Finals last month, saying, "this summer for me is about getting healthy."

Of course, being around the house so much also means this summer for him is about completing Vanessa's honey-do list, especially now that the Bryants don't have a maid.

Bryant joins '08 Olympic Dream Teamers LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard in having indicated they won't play in Turkey.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo tells Fanhouse that at most two members of the U.S. team that won gold in Beijing--the squad's first since 2000--will play this summer, calling out New Orleans' Chris Paul and Utah's Deron Williams.

However, USA Today's Game On blog reports even their status is in doubt due to injuries.

Jeez, they may have to dip into the NJB to fill out the roster.