My Opinion: Kobe will retire end of this season

B-Scott · Post #1 » by **B-Scott** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:06 am

Kobe know's it's over and you can see it in his eyes. He's hustling, he's trying, but it's not there and each game it's getting worse and worse. Kobe, has not shot over 50 percent in a game in like a month .

Against athletic teams like OKC he looks helpless. It's like watching 1996 Magic Johnson in that playoff series against the Rockets. Kobe, can't get separation from defenders anymore and If anyone here plays ball.......If you got to PUMP FAKE all the time....your lacking lift and quickness.

Does Kobe want to go another year looking like this? Kobe, has pride.....No way can he handle each and every elite guard outplay him. Kobe, is used to dominating. Now it's a constant struggle

I feel like im watching Sugar Ray Leonard vs Terry Norris 1991.....Roy Jones vs Tarver. Can't pull the trigger!!

aaron_gray · Post #2 » by **aaron_gray** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:27 am

I mean i thought he looked good today but whatever

drivewayball · Post #3 » by **drivewayball** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 10:56 am

Kobe doesn't need to retire from the game; he needs to retire the ridiculous, contested, off balance jump shots he takes. A bad shot kills team morale, regardless of who takes it. He needs to focus on what he can still do well, not on what he can no longer do.

Tee212 · Post #4 » by **Tee212** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:16 am

IF he made the game winner this thread wouldnt exist

Kangaroohop · Post #5 » by **Kangaroohop** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:48 am

He wants that scoring title so he won't retire oh and a ring

ha..

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5ertwenty · Post #6 » by **5ertwenty** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 11:59 am

Keep in mind he hasn't played for almost two seasons. He's still got a lot left in the tank.

mcscotty · Post #7 » by **mcscotty** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 1:09 pm

Both Kobe and management have been hinting about this possibility.

Marionettetc · Post #8 » by **Marionettetc** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 2:51 pm

I think it's far more likely his ingrained psychological conditioning is proving hard to shake, considering he's done it his own particular way for 16 years.

He plays sick, and hurt and he can't will up 30 points anymore on decent shooting after the injury and absence from the game.

Yesterday he wasn't ok. He was slumping over during dead time on the court and showing negative body language on the bench.

He still has every skill he's accumulated over his career but his body isn't reacting the way it always has.

cw3k · Post #9 » by **cw3k** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 3:34 pm

Kobe won't retire or stop bricking until he took the #1 spot in the all time scoring list.

Bank on this

Post #10 » by **crazyeights** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:04 pm

mcscotty wrote:Both Kobe and management have been hinting about this possibility.

Link?

I've heard them say at the end of his contract, but never before that point.

leeprettyp · Post #11 » by **leeprettyp** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:56 pm

Tee212 wrote:IF he made the game winner this thread wouldnt exist

This... Just cut the guys minutes and get some players this offseason who can play (Reggie Jackson). He had a good look but just missed it. He shouldn't be playing +35minutes anymore he needs to be playing around 30-32mpg and be given nights off at this point in his career. The bad part about all of this is we're not keeping this lottery pick. So just be prepared to use the 2016 lottery pick we'll have. There was at least 7 games this year that we're winnable for us but Kobe couldn't close these games out (no legs). He isn't a reliable 1A option anymore at this juncture of his career he's a 2 and possibly a 1B depending on who the best player brought in is. He's still a gem to have on the roster we just need to land a PG and a premier free agent in this offseason to take the load off of him. It happens to EVERY elite great player and this roster isnt helping take the load off of him. Nights like last night will happen all season long because he doesnt have the reliable help.

ChokeFasncists · Post #12 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:56 pm

We just need Lin to play better consistently to help shoulder some of the load from Kobe. Kobe is still very good IMO, he just can't be expected to do everything and play so many minutes.

mcscotty · Post #13 » by **mcscotty** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 5:29 pm

crazyeights wrote:
mcscotty wrote:Both Kobe and management have been hinting about this possibility.

Link?

I've heard them say at the end of his contract, but never before that point.

Here's a quote from Mitch. "All indications are, to me, from him, that this [two-year contract extension] is going to be it," Kupchak told the website. "If somebody's thinking of buying a ticket three years from now to see Kobe play, I would not do that. Don't wait. Do it this year."

My TV network has an hour long post game wrap up with all the locker room interviews, and Kobe just looks a lot more drained after games this season and constantly complains about general soreness. After such an extended time from the game, I sense he realizes the toll it's taking on his body at this age.

With that said, I'm about 90% certain Kobe will be back, but wouldn't be shocked if he packed it in. I suspect he will be in much better form in the second half of the season, but if not, he might not continue. Mediocre Kobe would still be a great asset, but he doesn't see it that way. He's always stated as much.

drivewayball · Post #14 » by **drivewayball** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:37 pm

ChokeFasncists wrote:We just need Lin to play better consistently to help shoulder some of the load from Kobe. Kobe is still very good IMO, he just can't be expected to do everything and play so many minutes.

The only person that expects Kobe to do everything, unfortunately, is Kobe.

Michael Lucky · Post #15 » by **Michael Lucky** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:40 pm

I doubt it. He'll ride another year even if there's nothing to be gained by it. It is alarming how poorly he's shooting though. only 2x in 26 games has he shot 50% or better, and he's shot just 34.6FG% in December and it's getting worse. It's really alarming.

slicktime · Post #16 » by **slicktime** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:44 pm

Kobe won't retire as long as the Lakers continue to overpay him.

MAMBAEMD · Post #17 » by **MAMBAEMD** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 7:07 pm

He has another year on his contract after this.
He loves playing. His competitive nature won't allow him to retire before that.
And the $'s are way too much to pass on.

I think he retires at the end of next year at the earliest.
I can even see him possibly signing smaller one year contracts after that specially if the Lakers get 2 max FAs by then.

TonyMontana · Post #18 » by **TonyMontana** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 7:21 pm

mcscotty wrote:
crazyeights wrote:
mcscotty wrote:Both Kobe and management have been hinting about this possibility.

Link?

I've heard them say at the end of his contract, but never before that point.

Here's a quote from Mitch. "All indications are, to me, from him, that this [two-year contract extension] is going to be it," Kupchak told the website. "If somebody's thinking of buying a ticket three years from now to see Kobe play, I would not do that. Don't wait. Do it this year."

The title by the O.P states Kobe will retire end of this season.

Your quote clearly states that the two year commitment is going to be it. So where is the "hint"?

ChokeFasncists · Post #19 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 7:29 pm

drivewayball wrote:
ChokeFasncists wrote:We just need Lin to play better consistently to help shoulder some of the load from Kobe. Kobe is still very good IMO, he just can't be expected to do everything and play so many minutes.

The only person that expects Kobe to do everything, unfortunately, is Kobe.

Na, if Lin keeps making plays with few mistakes, high ast/TO and the team does well I'm sure Kobe would change, he's not stupid. If he can consistently play like the OKC game or the first half against the Spurs, things will be different I'm sure.

Post #20 » by **Slava** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:24 pm

Dirk was putting similar numbers for the first 20 games or so after his comeback from a serious leg injury. The difference is that he was willing to step back and pick his spots and if Kobe could swallow a bit of his pride he can do that too. That Lin - Ellington - Boozer unit is working so well that Kobe can afford to play as a decoy and still get his but he shouldn't be exerting the same effort and usage at this point in his career.

If he stays like this and cannot mentally step back, then retirement at the end of the season is a real and valid option.