Kobe Bryant Will Definitely Play Next Season
Before the Los Angeles Lakers’ game on Tuesday, Kobe Bryant spoke to the local media. He stated that although he had some hesitation, the future hall-of-famer is intent on coming back next season.
Bryant suffered a torn rotator cuff this season and underwent surgery, leading to some doubt by the player on his future. Bryant wasn’t sure if he would be able to go to rehab for the third straight season and return again the following season.
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In a tweet by Baxter Holmes of ESPN, he touched base on that fact:
"“Kobe ever consider retiring? ‘Yeah, as soon as the doctor told me, I was like, Jesus Christ, man, I don’t know if I can do another 9 months.'”"
However, we are currently seeing a lot more confidence out of Bryant. His doubts seem to have disappeared and he showed he was adamant towards returning next season.
In an interview with Eric Pincus of the LA Times, Kobe stated:
"“Who the hell said I was retiring? That was never a question whether I was going to play next year. It’s just discouraging. … You have an injury and have another one and another one. It’s discouraging, but I respond to it the way I always have — just stick to the process.”"
Bryant also explained his understanding that there’s the possibility of injuring something else next season:
“After playing so many years (I know that), I could play 10 minutes and hurt some other (stuff). You know what I mean? At this stage all I can do is try whatever I can and be as healthy as possible, and if something goes, it goes. Father Time got me.”
He also noted that as he stands right now, he probably wouldn’t be able to play beyond next year. However, he said that could change depending on how the time until then goes.
Bryant was also asked how confident he is in the front office finding key players to help the Lakers contend for a championship. He responded:
“As confident as they are in me that I’ll be healthy next year. You’ve got to trust each other, man. They’re going to do their job, do the best job that they can. I’m going to do the best job I can. We’ll see how it goes.”
As of right now, Kobe will definitely be playing next year. How long that lasts, though, is a mystery.
Next: Lebron James nor James Harden will win NBA MVP
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