The end is drawing near for superstar Kobe Bryant and he’s fully aware of that fact. Bryant went down with another season-ending injury this season which has threatened to end his career before his contract is up with the Los Angeles Lakers. Although Kobe could simply call it quits and retire, the five-time NBA champion wants to see if he can continue playing at a high level.
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In this interview with Grantland’s Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose, Bryant refutes reports that have surfaced about the veteran shooting guard retiring next season:
“No, it’s not true. It’s not true.”
Despite the three consecutive season-ending injuries he’s suffered, Bryant is as adamant as ever about continuing to battle through these injuries. Kobe is under contract for one more season and seems to be planning on playing regardless of the state of the Lakers franchise.
The real question is whether he’ll retire after his 20th NBA season. There’s a chance that the Lakers are able to do enough this summer and the next to build this team back into a contender. If that turns out to be the case, Bryant might decide to play beyond his current contract if able to stay healthy.
[divide]Kobe Bryant Q&A At Nike’s Blackout Experience: On His Return, ‘I’m Going To Die Tryin’