Initial reports said next season would be Kobe Bryant’s last, but he’s since said the report was false, and he’ll likely leave us wondering if the last year of his current contract will indeed be the end of his Hall-of-Fame career.
But after three serious injuries over the last two seasons, one has to wonder if he’s entered the MJ-in-Washington twilight before his likeness is housed in Springfield. As he told reporter Mike Trudell during yesterday’s Mavs-Lakers game at the Staples Center Bryant seems more confident and committed to coming back “with a vengeance” from the torn rotator cuff that knocked him out this year.
Mamba’s self-assurance stands in stark relief to his recuperation from an Achilles’ tendon tear at the tail end of the 2012-13 season. The biggest difference is where on the body the injury occurred. Because his shoulder injury doesn’t affect his legs, Bryant can rehab and aerobically train like he normally does in the offseason.
For the last two summer’s, most recently his left knee fracture in December last season, he’s been hobbled with leg injuries that limited his mobility. Not so with his rotator cuff convalescence:
Mike Trudell: How does this recovery from your shoulder injury compare to the ones that you suffered the last two seasons with the legs?
Kobe Bryant: The Achilles one was horrible. This one’s much, much better. I can move around a lot more and it feels strong.[…]
Trudell: Is this an advantage in that you have your legs available to do stuff in this summer, whereas the last two injuries were a little bit different?
Bryant: Yeah, it’s definitely an advantage. I can start running pretty soon and start lifting weights and getting my legs strong, whereas the last few injuries I haven’t been able to do that.
And it’s clear Vino isn’t letting all the injuries that have piled up over the last two seasons, or the mileage associated with 19 NBA seasons, ambush his plans for yet another return. The title contention Lakers fans, and brass, keep trying to talk themselves into rests on Kobe, too, and we doubt he will shirk that responsibility — even if true title contention is largely a pipe dream at this point.
Trudell: Only four players in NBA history have played more regular-season and playoff minutes than you. So what do you have left in your legs, and what can you expect from yourself next season?
Bryant: To be ready. I’ll train just like I normally do and do everything possible to be ready and come back with a vengeance.
Never change Kobe.
Watch the full interview HERE.
