It just so happens that I telegraphed the end to Kobe Bryant’s career two years ago:
I have no doubt that Kobe will return next season, from what should have been a career-ending tear of his Achilles tendon last month. But I fear he will fail in his quest to tie or surpass Michael’s tally of six rings.
Indeed, the only way Kobe could emulate Michael at this point would be to end his career in even greater ignominy than Michael did, which was as a wobbly, hobbling shadow of himself, playing more as team mascot than team leader for the Washington Wizards.
(“Coach Phil Jackson on Michael vs. Kobe,” The iPINIONS Journal, May 30, 2013)
Sure enough, he returned last season and played like a wobbly, hobbling shadow of himself – just as I telegraphed. I duly commented in “Wither Kobe Bryant,” March 13, 2014. Here is an excerpt.
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I was already vindicated when Kobe returned, just as I predicted, only to re-injure his torn Achilles. This had him duly looking like a wobbly, hobbling shadow of himself for the mere six games he played this season, before resuming his role as more team mascot than team leader on December 17.
Now comes this:
The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled Kobe Bryant out for the remainder of the season after a re-examination of the veteran guard’s injured knee showed it still hadn’t healed, the team announced Wednesday…
Los Angeles signed Bryant to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension in November.
(ESPN, March 12, 2014)
Frankly, when the Lakers signed that contract extension with Kobe, I thought they might as well had bought some swampland in Florida too.
I have no doubt that Kobe will return next season or that he’ll manage to play more than six games. Indeed, he might survive the entire final two seasons of his contract extension.
But you too would have to be the kind of fool who would buy swampland in Florida if you think he’ll lead them to an NBA championship. And the Lakers would be even bigger fools if they sign him to another contract extension.
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Sure enough, he returned this season and, well:
Kobe Bryant will have surgery Wednesday on his torn right rotator cuff, likely ending his 19th season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
(ESPN, January 27, 2015)
Clearly he can forget trying to emulate Michael Jordan. Because nobody believes withering Kobe will ever recover well enough to lead the Lakers back to the playoffs, let alone another NBA championship.
Therefore, the only reason for him to return for a 20th season is to try to emulate Derek Jeter. Specifically, before tip off for the new NBA season in the fall, Kobe should announce it will be his last. He should then pray NBA teams use his final visit to their respective arenas as an occasion to shower him with farewell gifts and praises, the way MLB teams did during the farewell season Jeter orchestrated for himself last year.
Related commentaries:
Wither Kobe…
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