Nobody knows how long Kobe Bryant is going to continue his NBA playing career, though the Black Mamba has stated he does plan to play next season. Might that be his last? Currently, that’s not something he appears willing to discuss though it’s clear Father Time is starting to catch up with Bryant.
Given that and his recent injury woes, the Los Angeles Lakers are thinking about shutting Bryant down for the season when they are eliminated from playoff contention.
“I’m pretty sure if we’re nowhere near playoff contention in March or something like that, then we might discuss that,” Lakers Coach Byron Scott said Wednesday. “But the plan right now is to continue to play.”
While that’s likely a hard pill to swallow for fans of the franchise (especially season ticket holders), it’s likely the best case scenario considering there’s no need to put extra wear on Kobe Bryant’s proverbial aging tires.
Simply put, the Lakers aren’t playing for anything so why not preserve what’s left in Bryant’s tank and allow him to return the following season with a healthy Julius Randle and any potential additions made by the franchise via trades or free agency come the offseason.
It’s certainly not ideal but something the team will smartly consider and possibly due when the time comes.
