5 NBA players with a lot riding on a successful 2014

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers 

Bryant is another player who is trying to re-capture the glory days of old. He’s had a great career, winning four championships with the Lakers, and many consider him the Michael Jordan of his era.

After suffering an Achilles tear late in the 2012 season, Kobe came back in 2013, only to play in six games before suffering a fracture in his knee.

Kobe has vowed to come back this season and play at a high level again. The Lakers made a gamble that Kobe will be true to his word. They signed him to a $48.5 million extension last season.

Kobe now believes he can play beyond that two-year extension. After a long list of injuries he has suffered, he wants to continue to play. It’s that famous stubbornness that has helped him win multiple titles that now keeps his drive to play going.

This season is very important to him if he is to keep his hopes of playing. He says he wants to exit the NBA on his own terms, not because of injury. If he looks slow and can’t do a lot of the things he is used to doing, he may not have a choice in when he leaves. At 36, and playing in the NBA for half his life, his body just might not be able to handle the rigors of an 82-game season.

Remember, Father Time has yet to lose a game. Age catches up to everyone. Kobe wants to shove it aside for a little while longer. He has to show something this year, or he will go down.