Five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant will officially retire after the 2015-16 NBA season, leaving a void of a superstar athlete in the second-biggest market in the country. As the Los Angeles Lakers adjust to the post-Kobe era, the NFL will return to Los Angeles after 20 years in St. Louis.
With Bryant walking away, up-and-coming running back Todd Gurley hopes to take his spot under the bright lights of Los Angeles. Gurley made an appearance on SportsCenter on Friday and said the following about Bryant and the city of Los Angeles:
Gurley tells @SportsCenter: "With @kobebryant retiring, hopefully I can take his spot in LA."
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 5, 2016
Gurley burst onto the scene in the NFL during his rookie season this year quickly becoming the star attraction for the Rams in St. Louis. Along with being in the running for NFL Rookie of the Year, Gurley is now in the conversation for the best running back in the league with Adrian Peterson.
The Rams will have their stadium built where the Lakers used to play in Inglewood. During the three-year process of getting the stadium built, the Rams will play in their old stadium at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum where the USC Trojans play their home games.
As for Bryant, the future Hall of Famer has 30 games left in his NBA career. Although the Lakers have struggled all season long, the team has played well as of late. Los Angeles has won two straight games with Bryant turning back the clock with some impressive performances.
The Lakers will get back to work on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs in hopes of keeping the winning streak going.