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Kobe Bryant’s Career Isn’t Over Yet

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We can all see the finish line. It grows closer by the second, presenting itself as the end of an organizational epoch, the end of a relationship. The finish line’s visibility isn’t new, but only now is there a discernible level of tangibility, only now does it feel real. While it is tough to sway attention from this particular verisimilitude, the end of Kobe Bryant’s career shouldn’t be the full focus of his 20th season.

While it’s easy to tumble down the rabbit hole of what Bryant’s retirement means for this season, there are still at least 82 Lakers basketball games between now and when that ostensibly becomes a real thing. And within each of the remaining games left on Kobe’s ticket, there will be hundreds upon thousands of individual moments – some big, some small – for us to hang our hats on and discuss. It’s those singular moments that have captivated us for the last 19 years, and it’s those individual moments that will make this season memorable.

This iteration of the Lakers is fascinating on many levels. There hasn’t been an organizational influx of youth since the beginning of Bryant’s career, and that influx is infused with a collection of veterans who have something to prove – and Bryant is among those who is set on playing above preseason expectations. The last thousand days are – literally – marred because of injury, but between surgeries and rehabilitation, we’ve seen flashes of what makes him great, flashes that bespoke the acumen of his brilliance.

If healthy, this year should provide a stage for more performances of grandeur. Among many things, Bryant’s offensive struggles revolved largely around his legs performing at less than 100 percent. And while every injury is unfortunate, Bryant leaving last season with a shoulder injury allowed him to spend the last nine months improving the strength of his biggest weakness. If the theory holds, we should see a rise in efficiency and improved shooting metrics.

More importantly, however, we should see something new. Bryant has held our interest hostage for two decades due in large to his ability to reinvent himself, add something to his character. Each night in the arena is a new opportunity induce awe. On the hardwood, no space is off-limits; the court is comprised of nothing but locations he has been, or locations he could go next. He is a bricolage of every individual moment of his basketball career, and it’s the potential for those moments that should hold our interest over assigning meaning to when the potential for those moments finally dissipates.

If nothing else, his game is dialogic; an ongoing conversation with himself about what he should do next — and each side of that conversation always wants the last word. It’s an improvised dissonance, a tension that’s made Bryant wholly unique. A 19-year chasm exists between the player Bryant was, and the player he is today, and on either end of it are disparate philosophical approaches to the game. Age is the biggest culprit in these changes, but his dialogic approach remains the same. If it’s not a new addition to his game, it’s refinement of something old. The aesthetic of 19-years of muscle memory is just as enthralling, and sometimes, more impressive than the newness of what we’ve never seen.

A few weeks ago, Alec Baldwin had Penn Jillette on his podcast, and he talked about watching Richard Teller perform a trick he’s been doing for 40 years during a rehearsal. There’s something about greatness through refinement that we often take for granted. As Penn watched, he came to a realization about his partner:

“I saw him do this when he was, what, 25. I’m watching the trick, and I go, ‘god damn, he’s better.’ We have this thing in our culture, that if the Rolling Stones are doing satisfaction, we think they should have outgrown that. We have this temporary thing in our culture that forgets the fact that, God damn, people can be good at s—. People can get really good at stuff. “

And this is essentially where we are with Bryant. The man is still really good at what he does, even if there are some physical limitations on how often we’re able to see him do his job. This year should be a season-long celebration of his natural talent and the skill sets he’s perfected, but didn’t come so naturally. This season is an opportunity for one last look, but that last look should stay in the moment. Bryant’s retirement is imminent; there’s no hiding that. But the finesse of a baseline turn-around jump shot is also imminent. So is his propensity for cooking young wings in the post, using his craftiness to get free throws out of impossible situations, the sly passes that will go unnoticed and the game winner that will be noticed by everyone.

Use these last 82 games to appreciate the now, and worry about the future in the spring. Stein’s Law will dictate Bryant’s retirement, but he’s still playing today, and this might be the last time we can say that.


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Comments

  3. P. Ami says

    We, at this site, keep coming back to the same tension and the same release. We want to win and hate to lose but, enjoy the process. That idea seems to be what Kobe internalized over the years as he became more receptive to Phil’s philosophy. That’s what I’m going to do. That said, this season is not about it being Kobe’s last. Lets see what we have in those young fellas while the old man keeps doing his thing.

  4. tankyou says

    The problem with many of the over the hill b-ball players, even the great one’s like Kobe tend to be seen glaringly on the defensive end. Kobe hasn’t been a good defender for awhile, but he is pretty much a horrible perimeter defender. Even if he plays the #3, it won’t matter that much since most of the 3’s now adays are pretty much wing players and still would give him problems. IF he was 6’9 he would probably still be a pretty good inside defender, since he’s smart and savvy positionally, strong and determined. But we honestly can’t play him at the 4 position on defense.

    Lots and lots of guys could still play offense, I bet Chris Mullin could still nail 3’s, and Steve Kerr could nail 3’s, even Shaq likely would still give people problems. It’s just the wear and tear of being able to run up and down the court without their joints going on them, and the inability to defend anyone anymore. Kobe is now someone you have to hide on defense the best you can, but who is he going to hide behind? Hibbert? The whole bloody team basically needs to hide behind Hibbert/Bass. Enjoy the show, but maybe chug some beer when the Lakers are on defense b/c it ain’t going to be pretty.

  5. JeffT says

    Phillip, thanks for the story. I love the fact that you made me look up the definition of bricolage. I also appreciated the comparison to Penn&Teller. This all brings me back to Kareem’s final season, which I guess was a bit different because everyone knew he wasn’t coming back. But I remember how every away game became a celebration to the career that Kareem put together. Is also seemed that his biggest rivals appreciated him the most (perhaps they were just happy he was retiring and they wouldn’t have to face him anymore?) I hope that we get the chance to celebrate the end of Kobe’s tenure in a similar way, without uncertainty, so that he too can be celebrated.

  9. Robert says

    Phillip – nice read. I have followed Kobe since the beginning. I specifically remember seeing a photo of Kobe for the first time. It was a high school shot of him dunking the ball and the look on his face just made me say – wow. When Jerry West obtained him, I was elated. I was furious with Del Harris for the way he handled Kobe, but I soon forgot those years when Phil arrived. Game 4 against Indiana will always be my favorite Kobe game. The title on the line; Shaq fouled out; and Kobe pulling us through – one game off of a serious ankle injury. But that is just one memory – and Kobe has provided so many for me, both live and via TV. I was just a couple feet from the floor when Kobe moved by Hakeem for 8th all time in LA, and Shaq for 5th all time in Philly. Where I differ with you a little is that in 20 years – Kobe has not changed one bit. He still thinks he is the best player on the floor every game. Every time he gets the ball his first thought is to score. This has not changed since he was a rookie. When I went to Minnesota to see Kobe go by MJ, I was not watching #24, I was watching #8. The attitude has not changed. As a fan that has captivated me for all these years. And that attitude is captured in Kobe’s signature shot. Of course I am talking about the double teamed, turnaround, fadeaway. Let’s keep in mind that right now that is the last shot that Kobe has made in the NBA and it was left handed !!!! Phillip – one more place we differ is your mention of 82 more games. I am still pressing for Kobe beyond that. One of my prize possessions is a photo of me almost literally in the Lakers huddle (I am not kidding) on the night Kobe moved by MJ. I would gladly trade it for years 21 + 22 and as many double teamed, turnaround fadeaways as he can fit into those years. Kobe rules !!!!

  10. Mid-Wilshire says

    According to reports from the 2nd day of training camp today, the 2 best Lakers have been Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle.

    Byron says that he likes playing Russell, Clarkson, Kobe, and Randle together because they all rebound and immediately push the ball. We may see a somewhat more up-tempo team this year.

    Of course, it’s still early. We’ll see how things develop. But this could be a very interesting camp.

  11. Magic2Kobe10ChipsTotal says

    As Lakers fans, we are so fortunate. Kobe has, and will continue bleeding purple and gold, thank you. Ownership will do whatever it takes to get the team back on top. Suddenly, there are young talented pieces to move forward with. In addition, there is always something interesting to listen for and tune it to.
    Stop and smell the roses Lakers fans, on potentially Kobe’s last year or not, because there are 29 other fan bases that can’t sit still knowing the nearby GIANT has begun awakening and, if it takes forever, will pay visits to each and every last one of them.

  14. Robert says

    R: That is more than bragging. I missed that by one game. I flew to Milwaukee the game before, and KB came up 4 pts short. Could not go to Sacramento for the next one (I do have my limits). Seeing spots 3, 5, and 8 is not bad, but would have loved to have 4 on the list too. Still hoping for spot 2 next.