Time is winding down. The great Kobe Bryant has called it quits and will walk away from the NBA after 20 seasons. Kobe has expressed that he didn’t want any special going away celebration but as it turns out, he receives one during every game. Because Kobe decided to announce his retirement mid-season, he receives gifts from team and players as well as standing ovations even on the road.
Kobe deserves all of this but there was a more important reason behind Kobe announcing his retirement mid-season. According to BleacherReport, he was trying to help the Lakers plan for the future.
“I knew what I was going to do, so why wait? I’m not going to hold [Lakers’] management hostage either, because they need to start thinking about what it is they want to do [after I’m gone]. And going through this entire season not knowing, that’s not fair. So if you know, let the world know and let them know.”
I think that was very fair of Kobe. Kobe has been with the franchise for 20 years and they will be forced to go in a new direction after this season. The have been rumored to be in the running for Kevin Durant but only time will tell how that unfolds. Kevin Durant would be a worth replacement for Kobe.