Los Angeles Lakers rumors: Kobe Bryant no longer elite?
By Bryan Rose
Could we have seen the last of an elite Kobe Bryant? Depending on who you ask, that might be the case. The Worldwide Leader has already put into question Kobe Bryant’s ability after they suggested he wasn’t a top ten shooting guard and they aren’t the only one having doubts.
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Not only is Kobe Bryant coming off a devastating knee injury, he is also at the age where many NBA players will break down. To make it even scarier, Bryant has nearly three additional seasons of NBA basketball on his legs thanks to a massive amount of playoff games and this is a player who entered the NBA at just 18-years-old.
No matter how great the player, Father Time eventually takes over. Will that happen to Kobe Bryant this season? It’s a concern of Alex Kennedy.
"I’m not optimistic about the Lakers’ chances heading into the season. They are bringing back many of the same players as last year and we all saw how that team performed. I hope Kobe Bryant can bounce back and play at an elite level again, but I’m not sold it’s going to happen."
The one thing Kobe Bryant has going for him that most do not (outside of talent) is an unwavering desire to be great. At times it might even be an unhealthy obsession, but Bryant will do anything he can to compete and do so at a high level.
Granted, he’s not the same player he once was (something Kobe fully admits) but it’s tough to see him having a significant drop off this season.