13. Kobe’s 19 seasons vs. Jordan’s 15 seasons
12. Kobe never took a break by choice
Dec 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The shoes of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24), the Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Mamba Moment , during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 100-94. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Bryant is the modern-day ironman in the NBA. Before going down with his Achilles injury in 2013, Bryant had played 455 of a possible 474 games over a six-season stretch. In total, Bryant has played 19 seasons, two seasons shy of the all-time record held by Robert Parish.
Jordan’s career stretched over 19 years, but two separate retirements cut out four of those years. While the first retirement was (reportedly) related to the death of his father, the second retirement was not, and each allowed his body to recuperate in some sense.
For Bryant, retirement was never an option, nor was resting. Jordan needed time off both physically and mentally. Bryant hasn’t. The only thing that forced him to miss significant time has been two serious injuries, one his ruptured Achilles and the other a broken bone in his knee. While Jordan, too, missed nearly a full season with a broken foot, it was one of many lengthy breaks he got.
Bryant doesn’t stop and likely won’t stop until he retires. FOR GOOD. There won’t be three retirements with him. Credit to the Mamba.
Next: The Evolution of Kobe Bryant Late In His Career