Los Angeles Lakers: A Guide To Enjoying The End Of Kobe Bryant’s Career
1. Walk Away When It’s Time
This is one is for Kobe, and it’s the hardest one of all. I won’t pretend to know how much Kobe Bryant has left in the tank. I won’t pretend to know what it’s like to win five championships or to be one of the greatest players in the history of one of the league’s most prestigious franchises.
But that’s just the point: as someone who’s marveled at Kobe while watching him accomplish all these incredible things, it’s readily apparent that Father Time is closing in. And when the Black Mamba’s time comes, I hope he has the capacity to walk away from the game that he’s given everything to…and that he can do so on his own terms.
“On his own terms” is a scary phrase to use to describe this version of Kobe, but his Hall of Fame career deserves a happier ending than this. While it’d be sad to see such an all-timer take a backseat and play the role of facilitator, it’d be a massive upgrade from what we’re watching now.
Should Kobe keep shooting even if his shot isn't falling? Scott: "That's the only way to get out of it."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) November 4, 2015
People have compared this version of Kobe to Michael Jordan during his Washington Wizards days, but even 40-year-old MJ put up about 21 points and six boards per game on about 43 percent shooting, while also putting butts in the seats. This version of Kobe Bryant makes people want to turn the channel.
With Kobe nearing the final lap of his career, that shouldn’t be the impulse. We should be trying to soak in every last second of one of the greatest players in NBA history. But until he takes a step back and relinquishes control to the franchise’s future, it’s only natural to hope that this version of Kobe Bryant walks away from basketball after the 2015-16 season is over and puts us all out of our misery.
Because deep down, we fear it’s too late to teach an old dog new tricks. We fear that Kobe won’t change despite being on the last legs of his career. We fear that he’ll stubbornly fight his own mortality every step of the way, even if it makes us wince to see him lose that battle. The same drive that once made him great is what’s making his exit so painful now.
Next: NBA Power Rankings: Week 2
Until the day of his retirement comes, the future in Los Angeles — including the day when the Lakers can part ways with Byron Scott in favor of a more competent, developmental coach like Scott Brooks or Tom Thibodeau — will be put on the back-burner. That’s not how anyone should remember Kobe Bryant, but it’s in play if he’s unable to recognize when it’s time to walk away.