The best American born players gathered in the desert as Team USA held it’s annual summer mini-camp this week in Las Vegas. From LeBron James to Kevin Durant to Steph Curry, the game’s elite showed out to practice and throw their names in the hat as potential participants in next summer’s Olympics being held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
One player who was not present, but still getting ink, was Kobe Bryant. Though Kobe has previously gone on record saying the 2012 games in London would be his last, Team USA chairman Jerry Colangelo left the door open for Kobe to compete in 2016. This led to a flurry of reports openly wondering if Kobe could, in fact, find his way onto the team.
Well, those reports will only intensify now that Colangelo has gone even further with comments detailing conversations with the Lakers’ star. From ESPN’s Dave McMenamin:
“I was quoted on Kobe,” Colangelo said after USA Basketball’s intrasquad scrimmage at the Thomas & Mack Center. “In response to a question about him, I said it would be a great story if he did [play in Rio].
“And so, he also mentioned to me in a private conversation that if he had his druthers, he would love to ride off into the sunset playing one more time and winning the gold medal. And that would be the end. But he was very quick to say, ‘But, I don’t want a spot. I need to earn the spot. I need to be capable of playing at that level to be considered.’ And I said, ‘You got that. That’s always there for you, Kobe.'”
If Kobe cannot go out on a winning Lakers’ team, the next best thing would be for him to represent his country one last time, playing alongside the game’s elite players, and earning a gold medal in the Olympics. Kobe already has two golds (from 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London), but joining his teammates on that medal stand one more time as the national anthem played would still be an amazing accomplishment.
Of course, as noted, being selected would be a whole other story and one has to wonder if Kobe has another season good enough in him to “earn” the spot. Kobe will be 38 when the team suits up in Rio and, while showing flashes of brilliant play this past season, he has not proven to be consistent nor healthy enough to expect the type of top flight campaign one would expect of a player worthy of being named to the roster. A simple glance at the 34 man roster in Vegas this past week shows tremendous depth and quality.
But Kobe is a Team USA veteran and an icon of the sport. And, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to have an elder statesman like Kobe on the roster as a leader and short minutes contributor. Plus, as Colangelo said, it would be a great story and, while Kobe’s presence might remove an up and coming talent, it’s not likely to mean the difference between winning and losing.
Ultimately, I doubt it happens. But, to be honest, rather than see Kobe’s last meaningful basketball play out in (what will likely be) mostly meaningless games with a (probable) non-competitive Lakers’ team, it would be quite fun to see him give it one last go on the world’s stage with the best of the best. We’re a long way off from that, of course, but it is something worth hoping for.
BigCitySid says
– If Vegas offered a line on this, I’d place a wager that Kobe will play in Rio in 2016. I mean, why wouldn’t he?
George says
If Kobe is healthy this season he’ll play well — the talent is obviously there. So, it follows that he wouldn’t be precluded from trying out for the Olympics. Would he make it on the team? That I don’t know.
It would, however, be a very nice way to end a fantastic career.
Prob says
As a fan, I don’t think I’ll be satisfied with another gold medal for Kobe ending his career. That 6th ring is obviously the most important on the list and if that’s not possible than passing Kareem on the all time scoring list is what I’ll settle with.The chances of Kobe getting minutes on that 2016 Olympic team will be slim just go through the potential players that will be on that team that are in their prime right now or atleast on the cusp of their primes. He doesn’t even need to play, he could sit on that bench in a suit every game and still get a gold medal. And that would extremely disappointing, the fact that technically he did really win a gold medal, he was just a extra on a team of players that actually earned the gold medal. That just wouldn’t sit right with me or anyone that is a real fan of this man, and his career accomplishments.
At least if he passes Kareem, than he did that. And what a great way to ride off in to the sunset if you ask me.
BigCitySid says
– @ Prob, “That 6th ring is obviously the most important on the list and if that’s not possible than passing Kareem on the all time scoring list is what I’ll settle with.” Hmmm, 3rd place Kobe currently has 32,482 career points in the regular season. 2nd place Karl Malone has 36,928. A little math tells me Kobe would have to average more than 54.2 ppg for all 82 games this season just to tie for 2nd.
– Better come up with something else to “settle with”.
D. Peterson says
There’s no way Kobe is going to “ride off into the sunset” if he’s a contributing member of a gold medal Olympic team. It will only fuel his fire to continue in the NBA. If Kobe is good enough to play on the Olympic team next summer, he’s good enough to keep playing in the Association. I think if he’s healthy – the big question, right? – he can be a contributing member of the Olympic team and of the Lakers after this year. The next biggest question, however, is whether he can keep his alpha dog mentality in check enough that he doesn’t hurt either team. He just isn’t the same Kobe of old, and he has to be able to process that reality and execute accordingly in games in real time. Is he smart enough to figure it out? Undoubtedly. Is he humble enough? I guess we’ll see.
rr says
Today is Magic Johnson’s 56th birthday.
rubenowski says
Gotta admit, Russell is really not afraid to say whats on his mind, even with Kobe on his team. This kid is simply not afraid of anything. He does not lack confidence. I think the FO really weighed this high on their evaluation of Russell. This is what superstars are made of. Here’s hoping he turns into one.
BigCitySid says
– @ rubenowski, I’ll save my “fearless” comments pertaining to Russell until I see him wave off Kobe a couple of times while choosing another teammate in better position.
PurpleBlood says
Today is Magic Johnson’s 56th birthday.
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thanks for the reminder rr;
& (because I´m) Happy Birthday Magic man!!
Love you much brother –
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`…until I see him wave off Kobe a couple of times while choosing another teammate in better position.´
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hahaha, spot on!
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Mamba playin´ with all that talent, & getting to do it in Rio no less, would certainly be a gas for him – If he gets the minutes, I don´t see why not.
Still, it´s Mamba who knows best…
Shaun says
Dont we have too many guys on the team now …. wonder if sacre or kelly woll get bought out
rubenowski says
Sid,
I can totally see that happening. I’ll be on the lookout.
rr says
KB and Russell on Twitter after DAR said McGrady could have the GOAT:
Kobe Bryant ?@kobebryant 23h23 hours ago
Kobe Bryant retweeted D’Angelo Russell
Ha! All luv lil bro lets shock da world this season #history Kobe Bryant added,
D’Angelo Russell @Dloading
@kobebryant lol my bad he was nice though
26,869 retweets 26,182 favorites
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