Kobe Bryant: If Something Doesn’t Change, I’m Retiring
Kobe Bryant says that the Lakers’ 2015-16 season could be his last in the NBA
The decline of Kobe Bryant has been undeniably evident at the start of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2015-16 season. The Lakers’ struggles along the way to a 2-9 start to the year a whole have gone hand-in-hand with the struggles of Bryant. As you would expect, this has led to rampant speculation among Lakers fans and NBA fans alike whether or not this is the end of the line for Kobe.
While talking with Duke Blue Devils head coach and USA Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski on SiriusXM radio on late Thursday, Kobe addressed his future in the NBA. While he didn’t close the door on the matter entirely, he did issue himself and the Lakers an ultimatum in regards to his decision about his future with the team and in the NBA:
Kobe told Coach K on SiriusXM that "if something changes 'll come back and play next season. If something doesn't change this is it for me."
— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) November 19, 2015
For a certain generation of younger NBA fans, it’s hard to even imagine an NBA without Kobe Bryant being a part of it, much less imagine the Lakers without Kobe. For those in their mid-20s, everything that they can conceivably remember about the NBA essentially includes Bryant on the Lakers.
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However, Kobe’s assessment of the situation, though shocking in its potential finality, should also come as something 100 percent refreshing. Even the most vehement detractors of Bryant have to admit his place in the pantheon of all-time greats in this league. Subsequently, it would almost be demeaning to see a player who has accomplished what Kobe has over his career go into another season if he’s going to be playing this poorly and with the team playing so poorly.
Next: Is It Really Time To Say Goodbye to Kobe?
In the end, Lakers fans simply have to trust in Kobe like they have for the majority of the past two decades. It might be hard to accept, but he’s approaching his retirement the best way possible.