I know Kobe wants to be known as a Laker for life and go down as the greatest Laker of all-time, but if he wants to have any chance of getting a 6th ring it would be in his best interest to ask for a trade.
There are several title contending teams that could use his services as he is proving that even in his 19th year he is still a threat to score 30 any time he steps in the court. But Bean says he isn’t going anywhere via Yahoo Sports.
“I hear the chatter of Kobe should ask out and he should go and play for a contender in this latter stage of his career,” Bryant told Yahoo Sports. “But that’s not what I do. I’m extremely loyal to the Lakers.
“I believe in fighting through the tough times as well as enjoying the good times. It’s my responsibility to get us to be the best that we can be. It’s important that we approach that on a day-to-day basis.”
“We can’t get discouraged by it,” Bryant said. “It’s a very long season. You just have to stay the course. Keep on looking to improve, keep on looking to get better and things will eventually break.
“I’ve enjoyed a great amount of success here. You can’t just enjoy the successful times and then run away from the bad ones. No, I don’t even think about [departing]. I’m a Laker.”
A lot of people question Kobe’s leadership skills, but if that isn’t a quote of a leader I don’t know what is. The Lakers ship might be sinking, but as the captain he is going down with it.