Kobe Bryant’s career in the NBA is coming to an end. Bryant may be playing in his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers and potentially played his last game at Madison Square Garden on Sunday against the New York Knicks.
Following the loss to the Knicks, Bryant was asked about his legacy and how he’d like to be remembered once he finally walks away from the game. Kobe answered with three words, via Shahan Ahmed of NBC Los Angeles.
“Talented over achiever” – Kobe Bryant when asked what he wants his legacy to be after he hangs it up for good.
— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) November 8, 2015
It remains to be seen whether Bryant will call it a career at the end of the 2015-16 NBA season. Kobe will be an unrestricted free agent come July 1, but has yet to indicate whether he’ll pursue another short-term contract with the Lakers or announce his retirement.
If it truly is Bryant’s final season with the Lakers, the five-time NBA champion will go down as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Kobe’s legacy will be up there with the likes of other Lakers greats like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
It will be only a matter of time before his retired jersey is hanging in the rafters at the Staples Center along with a bronze statue sitting outside to greet the Lakers faithful.
Bryant and company will continue the team’s road trip on Tuesday with the Lakers set to face Dwyane Wade’s Miami Heat in South Beach. Los Angeles will be hoping to get their second win of the season before playing a back-to-back against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.