Kobe Bryant’s father believes his son can play on for at least three years – NBA Update
Age is catching up with Kobe Bryant. The legendary shooting guard can no longer do the things he did at a canter 8 to 10 years ago. Turning 33 next season, questions have to be asked about how long Kobe Bryant can keep on playing
at the high level, everyone has come to expect of him.
Kobe hasn’t shown much signs of slowing down in his stats. He is still a devastatingly effective shooting guard who averaged over 25 points per game last season, even though he played much lower minutes.
He is however not as athletic as he used to be. The leap isn’t as amazing as it used to be. Kobe visibly attacks the rim less often now and works shots at different angles. His effectiveness therefore hasn’t suffered, but how long
will he keep it up.
If you believe his dad, Joe Bryant, Kobe has about 3-to-5 years left in him.
Joe who is a coach in WNBA said that Kobe can maintain the high level for some time to come, although maybe not in the flashy fashion we are used to. Joe spoke of how Kobe can survive even without his athletic ability for quite
some time because Bryant understands the game and he understands how to play it as effectively as he can,
“When you’re a student of the game, a lot of players rely on their athleticism. Once you get older and their athleticism is not there, then you don’t know how to play. But Kobe knows how to play and understands the ABC’s of the
game.”
A player’s performance and longevity also depend on the guys that surround him and according to his dad, Kobe is no different. If the Los Angeles Lakers keep Kobe company with some good players, he can keep on producing for many
years to come,
“As long as he’s enjoying the game and keeps the two seven-footers [Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum], I still think he has three, four or five more years to play at a high level…”
The elder Bryant did warn though that the public perception and how he handles it will play a big part in Kobe’s future,
“The issue is going to be when the media talks, he can’t get 30 [points] anymore”
In the end, it might come down to motivation and to being happy with his own performance. Kobe’s dad believes his son can go a long way still if he has the proper motivation and enjoys his basketball,
“The important thing is as long as he’s enjoying the game and enjoying the challenge and still in the race to vie for a championship. That’s motivation enough.”
Whether Kobe manages to live up to his father’s proclamations remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, he will give the game everything he has got to offer.
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