Kobe Bryant says he is willing to play limited minutes so that the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers' younger ballers will have the chance to improve. The 37-year old Bryant, who is playing his 20th season in the NBA, is no longer the intense, high-octane superstar athlete he once was.
Used to steering the Lakers to victory (and defeat) and often taking charge of the team's offense almost every game, Bryant is seen as a selfish player who wants to win ball games all by himself, HNGN.com reports. However, Bryant finally admitted that he can no longer sustain the high level of basketball performance he is known for.
"Can't do it," Bryant said after the Lakers suffered a 132-114 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
"Bryant is still a highly capable scorer," Ananth Pandian of CBS Sports wrote. "But even he is well aware that his best days are behind him."
Even Lakers coach Byron Scott said that Bryant should ease on his shot attempts, particularly his 3-pointers. He is currently 4-of-21 from the 3-point range this season, ESPN reports.
As Bryant transitions from the Alpha male of the squad to a role player playing support, the Lakers intend to rebuild the team around its new core: Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. Bryant plans to help develop the three young guns to become better players.
"I'm really wanting to let the young guys, especially D'Angelo, let him call the game," Bryant said. "Let him call the game. Let him organize the game. Let him read the game. Let him read the flow. Let him make those decisions."
Bryant has been riddled with serious injuries for the past couple of years, which include a torn Achilles tendon in April 2013 and lateral tibial plateau fracture in his left knee in December of the same year. In January 2015, Bryant injured his rotator cuff.
With his health issues compounding and this season being the last of his contract, Bryant could be playing his very last season in the NBA.