Kobe Bryant says Lakers goal is championship this season

Dec 17, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Tony Allen (9) guards Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 96-92 Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Tony Allen (9) guards Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 96-92 Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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Look, we all know Kobe Bryant is an intense competitor. Some might even say he’s the most intense competitor the NBA has seen since the days of Michael Jordan and they could very well be right.

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Even when Kobe Bryant isn’t on the floor, as was the case last season, he despises losing. He’s chewed out the Los Angeles Lakers on more than one occasion – not only his teammates but the front office as well, questioning what they were doing.

Still, despite the roster full of rotational bench players, Kobe Bryant says the Los Angeles Lakers have one goal this season and that’s to win an NBA championship.

“Championship. Always. Always. That’s the ultimate. When you stand at the bottom of the mountain your goal is to get to the top of the mountain, you don’t just want to go half way. So, it’s always championship.”

Bryant went on to suggest there will be challenges in the way (and by challenges I assume he means the roster built around him) but vowed to fight through the adversity that will be placed in front of him.

It’s a nice sentiment from Kobe Bryant and I get where he’s coming from because you don’t go into the season hoping to secure the 8th seed and be happy with that, but can he be a little more realistic? It’s going to be difficult for the Los Angeles Lakers to crack 35-wins in a tough Western Conference so maybe an admission of making the playoffs rather than being a title contender?

I will say – not that he needs it, but if Bryant could somehow carry this Lakers team into the postseason, it might be one of his greatest career accomplishments.