The 2014-15 NBA season has been rough for the Los Angeles Lakers to say least. The storied franchise has only won 12 games thus far and the team might be lucky to double that number by the end of the season.
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Although it has been difficult for everyone in the Lakers organization, it would be safe to say that this season has been most challenging for Kobe Bryant. The superstar is battling Father Time on a daily basis with his body simply not holding up.
Following the loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, Kobe admitted to Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times that early retirement has crossed his mind:
“I’d be lying if I said that it hasn’t crossed my mind,” he tells The Times. “Right now I doubt it … but anything’s possible.”
The Lakers are currently at the halfway point of the season meaning Kobe has 41 games left before this forgettable season comes to an end. Bryant got off to a quick start this season after hearing all the pundits doubting his ability to continue playing at a high level, but it appears he’s hit a limit as to how much his 36-year-old body can handle.
Head coach Byron Scott recently admitted that he played Kobe too many minutes earlier in the season. Bryant now has a minute restriction of 32 minutes that Scott is standing firm on in order to preserve his superstar.
Obviously, the rigors of an 82-game season have started to take its toll on Bryant. It comes as no surprise that thoughts of early retirement would start to be an option he’d consider, but it’d be a safe bet to assume that unless he suffers another major injury, Kobe will play out the rest of his contract.
[divide]Lakers Kobe Bryant Discusses Future Possibility Of Being Shutdown
