When Kobe Bryant was a NBA rookie, the TV show South Park was in its "rookie season" and introduced us to the iconic character Cartman, who used to say "I'm not fat, I'm just big boned." 20 years later, a retired Kobe Bryant just came up with a new way of saying I'm not fat: Mamba Thick!

The "thick" Black Mamba -- one year into retirement -- dropped the amusing hashtag #MambaThick in response to people joking about his "jacked and hairless Dad bod" photo on TMZ.

Objects on camera may appear larger than they do in the mirror haha ok...ok...ok. Gimme 30 days #challengeaccepted #mambathick #mambabeast.

He deleted the amusing post minutes later and I'm assuming started day 1 of his 30 day challenge, which will probably end with Kobe posting a photo of himself with a 6-pack...abs or beer.

In honor of Kobe enjoying life after basketball and not having to drink bone broth anymore, let's take a look back at Kobe's physical transformation over the years.

NEEDED TO EAT MORE PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS IN HIGH SCHOOL KOBE

WELCOME TO LA & ADIDAS KOBE (1996 - 200 lbs)

DOMINATES SUMMER LEAGUE KOBE

I NEED SOME PT KOBE

NEEDS A CIGARETTE AFTER WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP KOBE

13 POUNDS OF NEW MUSCLE KOBE (2002 - 213 LBS)

POST BREAKUP WITH SHAQ KOBE AKA CHANGING TO NUMBER 24 KOBE

ASIAN TOUR KOBE (2006 - 220 lbs)

INTERNATIONAL USA KOBE (2008)

GETTING OLDER AND WINNING RINGS WITHOUT SHAQ KOBE

LIFTING WEIGHTS IN 2012 KOBE

 

"VANESSA, GET YOUR MAN" AT THE OLYMPICS KOBE 

 NEAR THE END KOBE (2013 - 200 lbs)

2014 TMZ SUMMERTIME (THAT'S NOT) KOBE!? 

TEARS ROTATOR CUFF IN LAST GAME OF THE 2015 SEASON FOR KOBE

INJURED BUT STILL GQ KOBE (2015)

NEEDS TO HURRY UP AND RETIRE KOBE

 

MAMBA THICK IN 2017 KOBE

 

RECAP