Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant Considering Early Retirement?
By Marcus Bass
Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant has considered early retirement.
With a painful body and current team record of 12-29, it’s clear the Lakers won’t be suiting up in the playoffs. It’s even more crystal that Bryant still has something left in the tank. However, possibly not enough to complete a full losing season.
Forget aging gracefully, there’s been nothing graceful about Bryant this season. While he’s currently eighth in scoring (22.6 points per game), Bryant’s also averaging his worst percentage from the field ever (37.2). This season was supposed to mark Kobe’s transition.
He’s finally starting to get a sense of how an NBA body should feel after five championships and a wealth of personal accolades.
He’s also first in missed field goals (439). The ability to take and miss as many shots as Bryant is a testament to his impressive return from Achilles rupture–if you’re a glass half-full type of person. However, there’s a lack of optimism when Bryant’s posting his lowest scoring average since the 1999-2000 season.
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As such, the Lakers organization must decide when to push away from the table. It seems Bryant may consider pushing away from the Lakers.
However, as Kobe’s feeling more aged and less useful, he’s once again considering retirement. Although he’s under contract through the 2015-16 season, Bryant’s thought of hanging it up for good after this season.
Per RealGM.com: “I’d be lying if I said that it hasn’t crossed my mind. Right now I doubt it … but anything’s possible. “My body is hurting like crazy, around the clock, and if I don’t want to do this anymore, I won’t do it.”
The Lakers might as well be playing in a recreational league this season. There hasn’t been much for fans to root for even less purpose for Kobe to suit up every night. As the bumps and bruises collect on a player of his mileage, it was inevitable for Bryant to start thinking of retirement.
Especially in his current situation. The Lakers are a few years away from getting back into the playoff race, let alone championship conversation. They have a long road ahead of them, and for the first time in what will possibly be two decades, Bryant won’t be along for the ride.
It’s the fastest way for the Lakers to get back into contention, and the one step that’s most necessary. A look at the Lakers current situation shows there won’t be any passing of the torch either.
Although it’s hard saying goodbye to a legend, and possibly the greatest Lakers star ever, Bryant in uniform simply delay’s the Lakers inevitable rebuilding process. They’ve proven themselves incapable of making a big splash in free agency, and it’s clear that they’re starting from the ground once again.
Bryant’s a detriment to that process, and until he steps aside, the Lakers won’t be able to move forward.