Los Angeles Lakers: More Years Ahead For Kobe Bryant?
By Chris Walton
The day that Kobe Bryant retires from his storied tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers will arguably be the biggest moment in sports history. The Black Mamba boasts a rockstar-like following with plenty of diehard fans watching every move, mimicking his mannerisms (That damned under-bite), and draping themselves in Laker gear from head to toe.
Not only will the fan base suffer the devastation, but the franchise that took a risk on an 18-year-old kid from Lower Marion High School will look to move on from possibly 20 years of basketball life. Are the Lakers and Kobe truly ready to say goodbye? Is the clutch of Father Time wrapping its arms around every limb and joint of KB24?
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Time will tell as he lives out the last two years of a $48.5 million deal.
Kobe has gone on record to admit that his time is nearly ending, but the reluctance always seems to lie in the pursuit of matching his idol, Michael Jordan, with six NBA titles. The competitive fire that allowed him to overcome many of his career adversities may end up giving the NBA a year or two of Kobe’s services. Am I proclaiming the final chapter will be extended?
Why yes, I certainly am.
There’s a strong indication that the Lakers will piece together a competitive roster in the next two years. Of all the teams in the NBA, they offer a chance at significant playing time and money for free agents. Los Angeles is being gauged from the standpoint of failing to attract stars, but they actually are taking some good steps in progression.
Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer aren’t the sexiest names on the market, but for their price tag (Boozer, $3.8 million, Lin $8.7 million) and expiring deals, they fit right now. Their additions are upgrades from last year’s 27-55 team.
Kobe is being the good soldier right now, and saying all the right things to inspire the troops. He knows their backs are against the wall, and wants to make doubters eat their words. I also believe that Kobe knows that reinforcements will soon come.
It’s certainly hard to doubt a team that has made deals for Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Lamar Odom, and Pau Gasol in the last 10 years. Many people are definitely looking at the Lakers’ ability to hijack stars as a thing of the past, but it’s still riveting.
It’s no coincidence that the Lakers have been linked to names like Eric Bledsoe, Rajon Rondo, and Kevin Durant. The purple and gold brand still holds relevance in NBA circles. The team was no more attractive to free agents this off-season than the fact that there were no championship solidifiers outside of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
With next season’s free agency, a combination of big name players like Marc Gasol and the aforementioned Rajon Rondo can create instant championship contention. Adding quality players like those guys will appease Bryant, and motivate him to stick around. Health is the biggest factor, and Bryant must make it through an entire season. If his body is feeling up to it, and production is still at a high level, expect the retirement celebration to be postponed.