Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Kobe Bryant‘s finally starting to think about life after basketball.
Will the league’s best guard look to spread his knowledge and competitive fire on the sidelines?? Or will he become the league’s next star to join the ex-player broadcasting team?
Charles Barkley may leave sports broadcasting when his contract is up with Turner Sports in 2016. Although most believe the Hall of Fame power forward will decide to return, that hasn’t prevented rumors of his replacement. Although Bryant hasn’t shown interest, many feel Bryant would be a great fit on the TNT team.
Eventually, Bryant could become a contingency plan for Turner. At the moment, it’s all wishful thinking. Either way, if Barkley leaves the NBA on TNT crew, Turner will seek a similarly brash and unapologetic personality.
According to Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated:
"The truth is no one can replace Barkley, the most impactful and valuable studio analyst on sports television today. But there is a name out there who could have a Barkley-like impact on an NBA studio show or remote broadcast if he has interest in broadcasting as a post-NBA career. His name is Kobe Bryant.There are certain traits shared by the best sports broadcasters: intelligence, passion, credibility and honesty. Personally, I like a bit of edge and distance from the establishment, too. Bryant possesses all of these. If you talk to NBA beat and national writers, Bryant has become one of the best interview subjects in the game. That he’s also an all-time great is a huge marketing bonus.”"
Since Michael Jordan left basketball, he hasn’t touched sports broadcasting. It’s likely that Bryant will feel equally above game commentary and broadcast booth antics. He’s waged a war against Jordan’s legacy for the last two decades. It’s unlikely there’ll be any peace at the end of Bryant’s career.
Not to suggest Bryant will follow Jordan’s footsteps in ownership. However, it’s possible that Kobe believes broadcasting is beneath him.
Certainly Kobe has the personality necessary to take on a position with the TNT crew. With the Lakers, Bryant’s sense of sarcasm has been well documented, in addition to his wit and veteran basketball intelligence. He’d serve as the bold personality Turner would want to transition to in the event that Barkley doesn’t return.
What’s likely is that Bryant serves as a guest on various TNT and NBA TV segments. The chances of him accepting a broadcast position are slim to none.
Bryant may have considered early retirement this season. He’s not having a mid-life crisis. It would take the largest payday in sports broadcasting to secure Kobe as Barkley’s replacement.
Kobe’s always wanted to be one step ahead of the rest. The fire, that’s driven his passion for the game, won’t be easily extinguished. It’ll resurface in a variety of ways; some comparable to Jordan and others original.
He’ll continue to be the “Black Mamba” at something once the Lakers retire his jersey. It just won’t include a suit and microphone.