reading the reports of his retirement, although we knew it was coming, just made me lose my appetite...i have to watch him play next season live...as much as i can afford
I think the reality is if Kobe wasn't under contract for next season, he'd probably be retired right now. I think he's playing more as an obligation to fulfill his contract than a true desire these days.
i think so too...these youngsters better soak up everything he says next season on a side note- i get a text from a buddy of mine last nite during the Warriors game that goes 'remember the playoffs when kobe was in that zone and he slapped gentry's a**? that's the feeling i get when steph touches the ball'
Kobe's not playing GM any more since many years by his own admission. But Kobe is an astute mind of the game and players' capabilities. I'd wager secretly he is beside himself with a renewed competitive juices flowing, looking at the roster he's going to have to play with next year, when all he has to do is hold up his end. Why would anyone not think Wizards' Jordan couldn't contribute to this team. Sure it's a reach, but really, by how much ..... that Kobe can get up to 80% of that Mike still, or higher? This last injury he's had for awhile reportedly. And played with it like he's always done. The achilles and the knee are behind him and no one knows his body and how to adjust to what he has left better than Kobe.
I mean I'm sure he's excited about having more talent around him next season, but how healthy can he be? He's dealt now with two seasons in a row where his body let him down. How many more of those can his mind take? I think the answer is none and that fear is in the back of his mind the whole time. I think next season will be a chance for him to let everything out of the tank. Try to get this group of youngsters to the playoffs on a wing and a prayer. Try to instill in them that last bit of Mamba-ness before he dies a warrior's death: fighting and honorable to the end.
real I think I said that. Go out guns blazing, or if he stays reasonably healthy and productive in fewer minutes with much less reliance on him thinking he has to carry the team, and as well finally take reasonable, WAY less salary that Lakers are happy with, stick around and recruit KD. KD loves him and if he likes what we are building here, who would not as a free agent, probably would love a chance to play with and absorb from a year with one of the all time greats in the league. I just feel these last 3 injuries are kind of an outlier behind him now considering his durability the rest of his career. And I give him a good puncher's chance of still contributing and being a factor. I will remain glass half full on this, based on the totality of his career. The thing that will have changed greatly I agree, will be any minor injury such as a rolled ankle will be MUCH harder to will his way through and ignore the pain and still produce as he used to be able to do. Since his body won't recuperate like the old days.
I think IF he stays healthy this year AND Randle, JC and #2 come on strong, AND we sign the right FA, AND there are indications someone like Westbrook will come the following year, THEN Kobe would re-sign a smaller 1 year deal to go for one last ring.
^ This. It's the only way I see Kobe going on. If we look like a playoff team and his presence on a bargain deal helps elevate our level of play then maybe. Even so, will Kobe take a pittance in pay and a backseat? It's not in his nature so far.
Kobe has told the press in the past that he has no interest in being a player who scores less than 20ppg. So it doesn't sound like he's interested in taking 2nd fiddle, 3rd man, or 6th man roles in his twilight years.
It really depends who the 1st Fiddle is. If it's one of the few that Kobe respects like Durant or Westbrook, then yeah I think he would do a 2nd Fiddle role. If it is someone like the knucklehead that left for Houston, then no way.
I've been shocked by the media buzz this has become today. I thought it was a foregone conclusion from a year ago when Kobe signed the extension.
Now that the Lakers appearing to turn the corner with whoever the #2 pick is, Randle and Clarkson...all that...this is just media speculation to drum up interest. Good angle for them to pursue. On one of those sports network shows, a talking head speculated 24 will pull a Jordan and play elsewhere. He talked San Antonio... Really? J.A. Adande expressed doubt 24 will go on past this season. Paige thinks otherwise if the young core develops and a promising future beckons. Crazy stuff...
