Personally, I thought that if the 2014 season ended well (with a championship or close to one), he would re-sign for one last season–which would be his 19th–and go after another championship. He often noted not only the physical commitment, but the mental commitment as one reason why he didn’t believe he could keep up the intensity in his training and preparation for much longer.
However, after tearing his Achilles tendon at the end of the 2012-2013 season, I felt that as long as he was able to recover well enough to maintain an elite level of play that he’d for sure play one season beyond his current contract, at the very least; simply because he’d want a full season reinforced by an off-season dedicated to strength and conditioning as opposed to rehab.
Then, in April, Bryant indicated to ESPN Los Angeles’ Arash Markazi that he could play quite a few more seasons:
Kobe on retiring: “I could play another five years. That’s not to say I will.”
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 8, 2013
That was quite surprising to hear from Kobe, even though he stated he’s not saying it will happen.
But then, on a recent trip to Brazil, Kobe yet again hinted at something similar, this time with a different distinction, in an interview with Brazil TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIBj56-A9-A&feature=player_embedded
“I can easily see myself playing another three or four years.”
This was what many Lakers fans had dreamed of; the Black Mamba playing out another few years and giving himself the chance at more championships.
Additionally, several indications point towards the belief that Kobe doesn’t just want ring number six, but rather ring number seven as well.
I believe the Achilles injury has actually fueled Bryant to set these extremely high goals, which is a testament of his greatness.
Rather than resign to the fact that he may never be the same player he was, he’s kept that possibility in the back of his mind and seemingly used it as fuel for what he plans to do in the future.
In fact, as Kobe sat down with Lakers Nation’s Serena Winters, he explained how the injury has “rejuvenated” him by putting in perspective just how precious being able to play is. Basically, his reasoning is that his career very well could’ve been over with that injury, so if he can prolong his career and play as long as possible, why not do it?
While I disagreed with Charles Barkley’s assessment that Bryant would be just “a good player. That’s it,” and argued that the type of will and determination in Kobe’s DNA coupled with the elite skill-set he possesses would enable him to maintain his elite status for the remainder of his career, the Black Mamba actually tasked himself with an even bigger challenge–conquer the Achilles injury, play three more seasons, and win two more championships.
Will he get two more rings? That’s yet to be seen, and will be extremely difficult.
Will he play three more seasons, or even one more season beyond his contract? That, on it’s own, is a huge challenge at 36 or 37 years of age and season number 19 or 20, respectively. If he were to play four more, he’d be 38 years old and on season number 21!
Will he even be able to come back strong enough from his Achilles injury to guard quicker, younger players and be a dominant force offensively? That, to date, it the biggest challenge facing Kobe Bryant.
However, although Bryant is by no means overlooking his injury and the grueling rehab process that comes with it, he’s done what few dare to do; which is add even more challenges for himself and ask of himself more than any fan, coach, or even critic could possibly think of.
If he retired today, he’d arguably go down as the greatest Laker of all time and easily one of the Top 5 players of all time.
But that’s not Kobe. He refuses to take the “easy” route, even though what’s easy for him is impossible for most.
So, whether or not it happens, one thing we can all be sure of is that in his mind, Kobe is up to the challenge of attempting to play at least three more seasons after conquering his Achilles injury and hopefully preventing any other serious ones.
Will it happen? Who knows, but here are a few keys to giving him the best chance at doing it.
Next Page: The Recipe For Four More
Conservation
This one is key. While ultimately Bryant’s longevity may hinge upon his age, it equally could hinge upon how he is used for the remainder of his career. One reason for Kobe’s belief that he could play more seasons is Tim Duncan’s elite level of play at 37 years old as an example. Duncan has actually played one less season than Bryant, though.
Nonetheless, it gives Kobe hope. However, one key to Duncan’s longevity has been the manner in which San Antonio Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich has conserved Timmy over the years. He’s been limited to the 30-minute range for the past four years.
That will be a problem for Bryant, as he only knows one gear–the highest one. Although we likely won’t see Kobe dip that low in terms of minutes, it will be up to Mike D’Antoni–or whoever the coach may be–to limit his minutes throughout the regular season so he’s fresh for the post-season. That obviously didn’t work out too well last season as Bryant felt he needed to be on the floor all game in order to win.
That, essentially, means that it isn’t up to D’Antoni as Kobe will play as many minutes as he feels he has to. Therefore, it’s actually up to management to surround Kobe with talent he feels confident in, which leads us to our next key.
Surrounding Talent
For starters, should Steve Nash and Pau Gasol be healthy next season, the two should be able to hold down the fort for Kobe while he recovers, and hopefully will be able to generate enough offense when Kobe returns but isn’t on the floor.
However, the team still needs to find a solid backup to Kobe; one who can defend and create some offense. The recent addition of Nick Young should help in that area for next season.
In the short term, the Lakers have to find a way to infuse some youth into the roster, and in the long term, they need acquire the quality of talent that can co-exist with Bryant and co-produce with him. Not since Shaquille O’Neal left has Kobe had someone who can truly carry an equal load and who can carry the team consistently on nights Bryant simply doesn’t have it or is absent due to injury.
Surely, as Kobe’s career winds down, there will be more nights in which he’s fatigued and/or can’t fully carry the load. That is where the Lakers are poised to make a huge splash in the 2014 free agent market (and 2015 market), and if they do, it’ll mask many of those off-nights or help minimize them.
The Lakers had envisioned Dwight Howard being that player, but he proved not to be, even if he had stayed. In that sense, it will be a lot more beneficial to Kobe if he can play alongside someone like Carmelo Anthony in the future; someone who is accustomed to and capable of carrying a team on his own.
Next Page: Acceptance Of New Role
Acceptance Of New Role
Some may sense that as a result of Howard’s choice to leave Bryant and go his separate way rather than play second-fiddle
However, I don’t see other players being discouraged to play with Kobe as the case. If you ask any former teammate of Kobe’s who’s actually taken his advice, taken on his relentless persona, and won a championship next to him, they would have nothing but great things to say about playing alongside Kobe.
Think of Smush Parker–who’s called out Bryant on a number of occasions–and where he is today (does anyone really know?) Now think of Pau Gasol, an extremely sensitive, caring guy who’s played alongside the notoriously tough and demanding Bryant for the last five seasons and won two championships with him.
You think Gasol would have changed anything about those last five years regarding his relationship with Bryant? I doubt it, as Bryant has continuously stuck up for Gasol regarding a number of topics, and the two refer to each other as brothers; not to mention the winning again, of course.
In that regard, Kobe does have that nurturing element to his leadership, and he certainly could co-exist with someone who he already has a solid relationship with (like Carmelo) and someone who understands that playing alongside the Black Mamba will only make them better and add value to them.
However, because of the injury and the amount of miles he’ll have on his body, Kobe will have to accept a new role. He may not have to necessarily be the second option, but he’ll at least have to share the offensive responsibility with another, younger superstar if he wants to extend his career. I don’t see that as being a problem as long as the other superstar(s) knows his place (as most NBA players do when it comes to Bryant), and Bryant has full confidence in him (as he does with the likes of Carmelo).
Some may argue that while Bryant gets along with players like Gasol, that he doesn’t do so well with other dominating presences like Shaq or Dwight, and doesn’t do well with deferring to them. However, Kobe always respected Shaq’s game and did whatever it took to win with him. With Howard, Dwight simply didn’t possess the kind of skills to warrant deference from one of the greatest scorers and champions of all time.
With a player like Anthony–someone Bryant considers to be like a little brother–Kobe has always had nothing but positive things
Any other superstar(s) I wouldn’t see having much of a clash with Kobe, either, as they generally respect him to the highest degree. As long as that’s what the foundation is built on–mutual respect–I can see Kobe at least willing to share in the responsibility.
Perhaps the first sign of that was in an interview with Dave McMenamin, in which Kobe stated he’d be “more than comfortable” with sitting back and averaging 21 or 22 points and 10 or 11 assists in lieu of the possible alteration of his game due to the injury.
If he truly will be comfortable with having that mentality, it will hopefully be one way in which he can elongate his already illustrious career.
With those three elements–conservation, surrounding talent, and the acceptance of an altered role–the storied career of one of the game’s all-time greats may possibly add a couple extra chapters, and do so successfully and gracefully.