Phil Jackson doubts this is Kobe Bryant’s final season – though thinks it may be Bryant’s last in Los Angeles.
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The Hall of Fame coach’s statements will only further fuel speculation that Bryant could end up joining Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant to form a super-team in New York. If he leaves, he’ll have to reinvent himself in a way that players like Paul Pierce – now sharing the Staples Center with Bryant with the Los Angeles Clippers – and Vince Carter mastered.
He isn’t expected to decide on his future until after this season. Expect him to be an upgrade over Jordan Hill, but raise your hand if you think he’ll respond well to Kobe getting in his grill over the course of an entire season.
For his part, Bryant has been mum on when he will retire, although in August, he did admit the 2015-16 season could be his last.
“Anything is possible”, he added optimistically.
“I believe in fighting through the tough times as well as enjoying the good times”.
Are an aging Kobe Bryant and No. 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell enough to turn it around? He may not always say something to piss you off, but he maybe just says something that makes you think.
Kupchak stated that he would not be surprised if Clarkson built off what he had done in the recent seasons, but the grey haired executive warned of making any judgments until the performance had been repeated for three or four seasons. As a 19-year-old, the former Kentucky Wildcat broke his leg in his first National Basketball Association game.
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Additionally, power forward Ed Davis had a solid, if unspectacular year, averaging 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. “He’s worked on his body”. “He assured me he’s working out every day”. The Lakers are planning how they will monitor Bryant’s minutes in his 20th season. “I, personally, wouldn’t like this to be his past year playing basketball”. Most notably, Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players not just of this generation, but of all-time.
