Coming out of the NBA Draft, much of the focus has been on the future of the Los Angeles Lakers as they seem to be setting themselves up nicely for life after Kobe Bryant. When that post-Kobe life will begin is still up in the air, however.
— Have you seen the ‘Bleed Purple and Gold’ phone case? —
In an interview with Jemele Hill for the BET Experience, Kobe said that this might be his final season via Janis Carr of the Orange County Register:
"It might be. You gotta retire sometime. Im not Benjamin Button, man," Kobe said. #BETtalks
— janis carr (@janiscarr) June 28, 2015
Kobe added that he will make the decision on whether he’ll continue to play after next season, saying if he feels like playing another year he will according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes:
Kobe says at the end of the upcoming season, if he feels like playing another season, he will. If not, he won’t.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) June 28, 2015
No one is sure how much Kobe has left in the tank. He surely has the will to continue to play at a relatively high level, but his body seems to be breaking down as he has suffered season-ending injuries in each of the last three seasons.
When on the court, Kobe can still produce and with the Lakers seemingly moving back towards relevancy, there is a chance that Kobe could make another run if the Lakers improve the roster over the next couple of summers. One thing that is for sure, Kobe will retire when he feels like it, not any other time.
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