The end is drawing near for Kobe Bryant with next season potentially being his last in the NBA. Although there still seems to be a chance Kobe will extend his career beyond a 20th season, the Los Angeles Lakers are preparing as if next year will be his last wearing purple and gold.
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In a recent interview with Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, Jeanie Buss hinted at planning on making next season special for the face of the franchise:
With Bryant set to return for the 2015-16 season in what could mark his last year, Buss said the Lakers are “talking about a bunch of different things” to honor Bryant in his 20th season with the Lakers at home games. Buss promised “we will make it special.”
Back in 1989, the Lakers, and every team in the NBA for that matter, pulled out all the stops to honor arguably one of the greatest players of all-time in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The six-time NBA champion let it be known the 1988-89 NBA season would be his last and as a result, the league paid tribute with every team honoring him in one way or another when the Lakers came to visit.
Although Kobe has admitted not wanting the farewell treatment in what could be his last season with the Lakers, the storied franchise definitely seems intent on making next season special. Buss wasn’t specific on what the team will do for future Hall of Famer throughout the 2015-16 NBA season, but it’ll interesting to see what they have in-store for him in potentially his last run in a Lakers uniform.
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