Kobe Bryant enjoying his last Olympics appearance – NBA News
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant was one of the 12 members on the U.S team Olympic roster when they opened their campaign against France on Sunday. And the veteran shooting guard was all smiles after the U.S team won the
game in convincing fashion - a 98-71 victory over the French side.
Bryant is nearing the end of an illustrious career and is appearing in his final Olympics. He was a crucial member of the 2008 U.S team that won gold at the Beijing Olympics.
This time around however, he is taking a more laid back approach, enjoying his game and the Olympics as he takes a back seat and allows some of the younger talent in the team to take the helm of affairs. There is certainly no lack
of talent in the U.S team, with players like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Russell Westbrook.
Ever since Bryant got to Las Vegas for the U.S team training camp earlier this month, he has been trying to savour every moment of his last Olympic appearance and is limiting himself to a role player in this year’s team.
He has had an illustrious career in which he has won 5 NBA championships, 1 regular season MVP honour and 1 gold medal for his home country. Being the highest paid athlete in the NBA and playing for a team that has celebrities
for fans, Bryant is always flanked by media persons asking for his comments on every issue under the moon. He recently started a huge discussion when he said that the current U.S team roster could defeat the 1992 U.S “Dream Team” that won gold medal at the
Barcelona Games.
Bryant was asked how he would compare playing for the U.S team and the Los Angeles Lakers. He said:
"It's a huge honour playing for your country, playing for the Lakers is obviously pretty cool, but when you play for the USA and you have people like the first lady showing up to your games, that's pretty awesome.”
The veteran two guard, arguably the best at that position since Michael Jordan, will be looking to win another gold medal to add to his long list of achievements in his final appearance in the Olympics. And judging by the recent
form of the U.S team, it is quite likely that he will get his wish.
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