Kobe Bryant says he will probably retire at the end of his current contract - NBA News
Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players ever to have played the game, and will rank supreme among the NBA legends. The 5 time NBA champion is only 34, and has already accomplished so much in his career. Often compared
to Michael Jordan, Bryant finished last season as the second highest scorer and was 4th on the list of MVP candidates. However, Bryant has only two more seasons to win an NBA championship and equal Jordan’s tally of six, as he has said that he does
not fancy playing in the NBA after his current contract expires at the end of the 2013-14 season.
Bryant gave an interview to Ken Berger of CBS Sports in which he talked about a variety of issues, and also mentioned his retirement plans. Adding that he would have played 18 seasons when the 2013-14 season finishes, Bryant said
that it is unlikely he will play beyond that.
“Bryant conceded that, in all likelihood, the finish line and the conclusion of his current contract will be one in the same. Bryant has two years left, and though he was careful to point out, "One can never be too sure," he made
it clear in the next breath it's almost unfathomable he would play beyond 2013-14, which would be his 18th season,” reported Berger.
The Lakers are the favourites to win the NBA championship next season, with Bryant teaming up with Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, who were both traded during the offseason. Although he is still playing prime basketball and has a
great team around him that can potentially win two NBA titles in the coming two seasons, Bryant has been suffering from injuries over the past few years. He underwent the orthokine procedure in Germany to regenerate his knees a while back, and has also been
struggling with wrist injuries over the past two seasons.
"It's just that three more years seems like a really long time to continue to stay at a high, high level of training and preparation and health. For a guard? That's a lot of years,” added Bryant.
In spite of what he has said, there have been many NBA players who have come out of retirement and returned to the game simply because of their love for it. Michael Jordan did it with the Washington Wizards, Allen Iverson has done
it a few times and Rasheed Wallace just came out of retirement to sign with the New York Knicks a few days ago. Although it is a very real possibility that Bryant might retire in 2014, there is always the chance of him returning as well.
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