For Kobe Bryant, Its all about Playing Ball

Will Kobe be back next year? Photo Credit: Richard Mackson/USA Today Sports

Before the season started, people were wondering about Kobe retiring in the near future. 


This past Sunday, Kobe Bryant passed Michael Jordan on the NBA’s All-Time Scoring list. The Los Angeles Lakers need more moments like this. Their fans need them even more.

On a team that will most likely miss the playoffs, moments like this will keep the fans satisfied. Fans that aren’t accustomed to rebuilding years.

Kobe reached the number three spot on the all-time scoring list in Minneapolis, the former home of the Lakers. It may as well have been a home game. Purple and gold jerseys flooded the crowd.

They took a moment to pause the game to cheer the accomplishment and give Kobe the game ball. Again, this was in Minneapolis. Halfway across the country. Miles and miles away from the home of the Lakers. Just imagine the spectacle that could have occurred in the Staples Center.

These moments will probably be few and far between. But for true Lakers’ fans, these moments will be a welcome respite from the regular season. Things don’t look too much better for next season either.

With the injuries to Nash, Randle, and Henry sidelining them for the rest of the season, the Lakers have been forced to find bodies to fill out their roster. There is no guarantee about free agency after this season. Next year appears, for the moment, to be very similar to this season.

Kobe shouldn’t retire after this season. Is he at the top of his game? No, not at all. But Kobe’s leftovers are better than most players at full strength.

Hopefully, he’ll be able to mentor Randle next year and pass the torch once Randle is ready. Until then, Lakers’ fans need Kobe. They need more of his accomplishments.