Last year, when Tom Thibodeau offered Kobe Bryant a spot on the Men’s 2016 USA Olympic Basketball Team, the Black Mamba declined.
Last week, however, USA Basketball Executive Director Jerry Colangelo said Bryant still has a chance at making the team, despite not attending the team’s mini-camp.
Apparently Kobe and Colangelo actually discussed the possibility in June, and while no guarantees were made, Colangelo said if Kobe is healthy and able to play at a high level, “the door would be open” for him to make his third appearance as a member of Team USA in the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Olympics.
The fact that the two discussed the possibility means that Vino is perhaps considering the option.
It was later quoted by Colangelo that Kobe “would love to ride off into the sunset playing one more time and winning the gold medal.” However, according to Colangelo, Bryant wants to earn the spot, if he indeed decides to play.
The thought of him playing next year actually crossed my mind earlier this summer and I, for one, think the Mamba should absolutely go for it.
If Kobe still hasn’t decided whether or not he’ll go full bore at trying to make the team, I’d like to give a few reasons why it would be great for everyone — Lakers fans, international Kobe fans, the game of basketball, and Kobe Bryant himself — if he played in the 2016 Olympics.
Before I get into why, let’s take a look back at Kobe’s Olympic Legacy:
Kobe’s Olympic Legacy
While perhaps not always mentioned for his accolades during international play, Kobe’s already cemented a certain legacy in the Olympic games.
In his first stint with the Olympic team in 2008, the Black Mamba averaged 15.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while being the team’s designated perimeter defensive stopper — but added some memorable moments when it mattered most.
If you rewind a few years to Team USA’s prior Olympic outing (2004), the squad failed to earn a gold medal and settled for Bronze.
While LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade were all fresh NBA stars during those 2004 Olympics, they all played together again in the 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup, but once again failed to win Gold, in favor of Bronze. This was a year in which Kobe was supposed to participate, but couldn’t due to injury.
Enter Kobe Bryant in 2007 for the FIBA Americas Championship, a tournament which Team USA had to play in and reach the Final simply to qualify for the Olympics, due to the previous year’s loss.
With Dwyane Wade out due to injury this time, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony led the team offensively, but the Mamba took it upon himself from day one to set the tone defensively — leading the team in steals with 1.6 per game throughout the tournament. From the very first practice in which Kobe vowed to be the team’s defensive stopper, he arguably implemented a winning mindset.
This time, the team had no such trouble as in years past, routing its way to a championship without any hiccups. In the Final against Argentina, Bryant led the team with 27 points and four steals to seal the deal.
Resume play to the 2008 Olympics.
While Chris Paul (4.1 assists) and LeBron James (15.5 points, 3.8 assists) were the ball-dominant players, Dwyane Wade was the leading scorer throughout the tournament, averaging 16.0 points.
Kobe — being the third-leading scorer — was an integral part of that team, but didn’t quite take on the role of “The Man,” as he’d done throughout his career. Even though he had just come off of an MVP season in the NBA, he decided to continue the responsibility of being the team’s defensive specialist, as he saw it as the most glaring weakness for Team USA.
However, he truly showed his elite status in the gold medal game.
With the game on the line and the gold medal in doubt, Kobe’s superstar teammates deferred to him and entrusted him to make nearly all of the decisions down the stretch in a tough battle with Spain. With the ball in his hands, he set the table for the best players in the world, and made some enormously clutch shots himself — finishing with 20 points and a game-high six assists.
With the gold medal hanging in the balance, there was no way the NBA’s MVP would let his country down, and boy did he deliver by doing what he was hands-down the best at doing at the time — closing out ballgames.
He may not have quite the same impact as he did in 2008 if he plays next year, but he could certainly still add to his legacy, or at least allow the fans to celebrate his legacy by playing.
Here are a few reasons why it would be the perfect scenario if Kobe played in the 2016 Olympics:
CONTINUE READING: Why Kobe Bryant Playing In 2016 Rio Olympics Would Be Perfect
The Last Hurrah
Kobe is in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Although he’s been noncommittal on whether he’ll retire after the 2015-2016 season or not, there’s at least a 50-50 chance he will.
Health and how motivated Vino is to keep going will be the final determination, but after suffering three consecutive season-ending injuries and enduring a grueling rehabilitation process each time, there’s a very good chance that this could be Kobe’s final go-around.
Even if he ends the season relatively healthy, he may opt to go out on a high note rather than having to worry about incurring another major injury the following season — one that would not allow him to go out on his own terms.
Speaking of high notes relating to health, why not go out on top in terms of winning too?
While the Lakers’ future is finally looking up, there’s little belief that they’ll make the playoffs next year. Even if they do, it would be nearly impossible for them to reach the pinnacle that Kobe Bryant is used to — winning a championship.
So, why not be a part of an elite USA team with a chance to win a gold medal to cap off a truly legendary career?
It could be the perfect way for Kobe to go out, given the circumstances.
If he does play, the impact will garner a global reaction.
Global Impact
It’s remarkable moments similar to what Kobe did in the gold medal game of 2008 — but in the NBA — that gave him legendary status not only in the U.S., but around the world. But to see Kobe do what he had done for the Lakers time after time — this time for Team USA down the stretch of a gold medal game in the Olympics — helped make him a basketball god overseas.
There’s no basketball star bigger than Kobe Bryant in terms of popularity around the world. If you’re Kobe Bryant and are healthy enough to play and invited to play on a global scale one more time, why deprive the world of witnessing your greatness one last time?
At his age (he’ll be nearly 38 entering the Olympics), can he still be great at that level?
In the 2012 Olympics, an older Kobe outside of his prime did take on a lesser role, averaging just 12.1 points in 17 minutes of play.
However, he still contributed and had some electrifying highlights, even cracking the USA Top 10 Dunks list (see video below). Being around his younger superstar peers seemingly invigorated him.
Never one to ride coattails en route to any sort of championship, Kobe would certainly need to be involved to an extent, in order to consider playing in the Olympics again. After all, the Black Mamba is no role player.
However, when asked about a lesser role prior to the 2012 Olympics, Bryant stated: “I’ll just be Mariano Rivera.”
He was certainly still involved quite a bit in 2012, but this time, if he plays, maybe that statement will actually hold true.
Even if he plays just 10 minutes (of 40) per game in 2016, those minutes will last a lifetime for fans who adore the Black Mamba around the world, and I’m sure he’ll still be great in them.
If he’s on the team, fans will undoubtedly be chanting for him every second he’s on the bench, so he’d need to be able to deliver when called upon. The fact that Kobe, true to form, will only play if he earns a spot, certainly would ensure that he wasn’t just given a selection based on his reputation and that he’s still able to compete at an extremely high level, even among players nearly half his age. .
I’m sure the younger stars of the league wouldn’t mind taking some notes from one of the greatest players of all time, either.
Marketing
Speaking of a global impact, the marketing opportunities are certainly something to consider if you’re Kobe Bryant. While the Mamba will only play if it feels right to him, just as he’s calculated on the basketball court, he’s calculated off the court as well.
He’s certainly taken advantage of his global popularity by monetizing it, most notably during his summer tours overseas.
With his shoe line and new ventures in the form of Kobe Inc. and a significant investment in the BODYARMOR sports drink, what better way to help promote Kobe’s post-basketball career moves than by being visible on a global scale?
Kobe is an extremely smart businessman who knows how to capitalize on an opportunity. This could be one he won’t want to pass up, especially at the tail end of his career.
Just Play, Kobe
At the end of the day, whether you’re a Lakers fan in L.A. who loves Kobe or a Kobe fan halfway across the world, we all have one thing in common: We love to watch Kobe Bryant play the game of basketball.
As a Lakers fan who loves Kobe, while part of me wants to be “selfish” and watch Kobe finish his career in the purple and gold at home in Staples Center (possibly while I spend a ridiculous amount of money to be in attendance), the other selfish part of me wants to see Kobe play as much as possible — even if it’s just for eight more games in the Olympics.
Another reason I want to see Kobe play in the Olympics is I love to see Kobe compete for something that matters — and win. As Lakers fans, we’re used to seeing Kobe go into battle with high stakes on the line, and he usually doesn’t disappoint with his performance. He always plays with fire and flair no matter what, but we all know he takes it to another level when it’s championship time.
Unfortunately, while the Lakers have lots to look forward to, they won’t be at that level just yet next season. The worst thing I could imagine is seeing Kobe Bryant — one of the game’s greatest champions — exiting his storied career without even the chance of competing in the playoffs.
This would be an opportunity to see it once again: Kobe Bryant, competing with and against the world’s best players on a global scale, for something that matters. While he may not be quite at the level of some of the game’s top-tier players at this stage in his career following a number of devastating injuries, his tenacity is unmatched and he’d be sure to bring some intensity to the game.
I’m sure in a limited amount of games with the international lights shining bright, the Black Mamba may just be able to turn back the clock on a few occasions.
Regardless of whether Kobe plays another season after 2015-2016 or not, it would be great for him to allow the world to say its goodbye to him at the 2016 Olympics — as he helps his country win another gold medal.
[divide]