The Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant ,24, takes a shot past Boston Celtic Evan Turner,11, and Kelly Olynyk ,41, past during the 3rd quarter at the Staples Center. Lakers lost 100-107. Los Angeles Calif., Sunday, April ,3, 2016. (Photo by Stephen Carr / Daily Breeze)
The question initially sounded stupid to Kobe Bryant before it was even asked.
The Lakers’ star had long established he would retire following the 2015-16 season. He also ruled out playing overseas a month later. Hence, Bryant rolled his eyes at the reports he had rejected an offer to play for the FC Barcelona of the Euro League because of his physical limitations.
“You know I’m not playing,” Bryant said. “I’m done.”
What if Bryant had not felt constant strain, however, in his right shoulder, knees, back and basically every single body part? Had he hoped to fulfill his basketball fix by stepping on the hardwood somewhere else around the world?
“If I was healthy and wanted to play, I’d still be playing for the Lakers,” Bryant said following the Lakers’ loss to Boston on Sunday at Staples Center. “The health thing I can always figure it out. That’s not a big deal. My body is sore. I can always commit toward figuring it out, be healthy and play. I just don’t want to play anymore. That’s all.”
Bryant’s latest sentiment shows a clear shift in his thinking. In December, 2015, Bryant admitted he “would have loved to play overseas for a season.”
“It’s not going to happen,” Bryant said in December on an NBA-sanctioned conference call that included 124 reporters from 24 different countries and territories. “I wish I could’ve done it. But I can’t. The body won’t let me. That is fine.”
Since then, Bryant routinely has dismissed any notion of having second thoughts about ending his 20-year NBA career after the season finale on April 13 against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant reiterated on Sunday there’s “not a chance” that would change after laughing and shaking his head. Bryant has also consistently ruled out wanting to coach, even in a youth league for any of his two daughters, Natalia and Gianna.
“I have to deal with parents and all that stuff? I’m good,” Bryant said. “The driveway is good for me.”
In normal offseasons, Bryant said he usually lasted at most two days before picking up a basketball. He sounded unsure if he will completely remove basketball from his exercise routine.
“I can’t help it. My kids want to play basketball,” Bryant said. “So I’m out there with my youngest shooting every day. Just as I’m putting the basketball fever up, she seems to have picked it up now. So everyday probably.”
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