Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant Considering Retirement?
With a lost season currently underway for the Los Angeles Lakers, and talk of shutting down Kobe Bryant for the season heating up as the losses pile up, it is possible that the Lakers legend will consider retiring at season’s end, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"When asked whether he has considered retiring at the end of this season, one year before the end of his Lakers contract, he nods his head in agreement.“I’d be lying if I said that it hasn’t crossed my mind,” he tells The Times. “Right now I doubt it…but anything’s possible.”He emphasizes the right now because, right now, the reality is so muddled and difficult that even the Black Mamba is having trouble wrapping his mind around it.“My body is hurting like crazy, around the clock, and if I don’t want to do this anymore, I won’t do it,” he says.via Bill Plaschke of the LA Times"
While this excerpt from the recent Los Angeles Times article certainly doesn’t relay any decision that is imminent, and by Kobe Bryant’s own account is currently doubtful in nature, the second quote is one that lends itself to the idea that Kobe will decide to hang up his sneakers for good sooner rather than later.
His body is making it difficult to play, and when he does play it’s difficult to perform the way that he knows he can.
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Kobe Bryant can still play at a high level on any given night, as evidenced by his 19-point, career-high 17-assist outing against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He shot 50 percent from the field that game, including 50 percent from three-point range. In addition to guarding LeBron James down the stretch, he had a few moments that reminded everyone just how special of a basketball player he is.
But there are also the contests that play out much like the one against the Los Angeles Clippers earlier this month. An abysmal 2-for-12 shooting effort combined with six turnovers in only 28 minutes noted just how difficult it is for him to do the amazing things that were once routine before age and injuries became a constant in Kobe Bryant’s life.
Between inconsistencies in his performance on the court, and the pain endured off of it, it’s easy to see how Bryant’s burning passion for playing the game of basketball could dwindle a bit. A playoff chance would certainly change the narrative, but the Lakers are headed nowhere quite quickly this season with no promises of expanded horizons come the 2015 season opener.
Financially, Kobe certainly has plenty of reason to ride it out, even if he claims he has no problems walking away from the money. According to Sportrac, Kobe Bryant will earn a base salary of $25 million in the final year of his deal. Surely Bryant doesn’t need the money, but walking away from that kind of paycheck would be something of a shock.
Whether Kobe Bryant’s next career is in broadcasting, coaching, or as a businessman, he’s already got plenty of options to channel his competitive spirit off the court. He’s already begun business ventures, and surely there will be more to come as he continues to look towards the future.
Perhaps Bryant will wait to see what kind of roster the Lakers can put together next season before making his choice, or maybe he will want to go out on his own terms at the end of next season. It’s a possibility he’s willing to put up with the grind of an 82-game season one last time, if only to hold on to each and every minute he can of his playing career as it nears its end.
Alternatively, his health could make a serious case for him to shut it down, plunging him into whatever awaits him outside of playing the game that made him a household name. The lure of reinventing himself as an analyst or coach may be worth trading in the days in the training room. Business ventures may come calling, allowing Kobe Bryant to dominate an entirely different game.
Whatever happens will, of course, happen. The day that Kobe Bryant says goodbye is coming. So, to all basketball fans, enjoy what is left of a legendary NBA career.
That day could come sooner than most of us anticipated.