Kobe's Last Hurrah

The Mamba's still venomous - While we all knew this was the end of the Kobe Bryant era entering the 2015-16 season but refused to believe it, the Los Angeles Lakers guard finally put the rumors to rest three weeks ago when he held a live press conference regarding his decision to finally hang 'em up at the end of the season after 20 years in the league. Along with Kobe explaining his decision in front of a live television audience, was a poem he had written explaining that he was ready to let go of the game of basketball. After appearing to have shot himself to an early retirement with many pleading for the Mamba to call it quits in midseason, Bryant has instead responded to his critics by playing his best ball in years as of late. That's right, Kobe is finally beginning to resemble the iconic basketball player we all know and love.

In his last four games, Kobe has put up the following:

31 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists.
22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists.
22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists.
25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists.

Even if it is just a small sample size of the Kobe Bryant we all grew accustomed to seeing on a nightly basis, the fact remains -- it's refreshing to see one of the most celebrated players the game has ever known playing good basketball once again. Though I can truly say I didn't go as far as saying Kobe needed to reconsider his decision and retire now during his slump, I can admit that I thought Kobe had begun to resemble a man who was forcing himself thru something he can no longer do and that's taking on a rigorous 82-game season for a 20th time. But over the last four games he's proven otherwise. He's also ditched the poor shot selection that was eating away at his shooting percentage at the start of the season and has been a lot more productive in every facet while also getting others involved. As hard as it was to watch one of the game's all-time greats struggling the way he was, I wasn't ready for my all-time favorite player to walk away from the game for good. Bryant, a 17-time All-Star and 5-time NBA Champion, had this to say about his recent play, "I just feel good. my legs feel fine. I feel like me."

With the Lakers currently owning a record of 5-23, worst in the Western Conference and above only the 1-29 Philadelphia 76ers who's lone win on the season came at the hands of L.A., the last three seasons which saw Kobe plagued by different injuries, has somewhat helped us all accept this whole rebuilding stage that the Lakers and their fans aren't necessarily used to and has helped prepare us to move on towards a Kobe-less Laker team. With a good crop of young talent picked in the last two NBA Drafts in guards Jordan Clarkson, DeAngelo Russell and forward Julius Randle, L.A. is once again in good position to acquire some top talent in next year's Draft while preparing for life after Bryant. And as the season wears on and the games dwindle down, the only advice I can say to you as not only a Laker fan but an all around fan of basketball is this -- soak in as much of Kobe's final season as you can as we may never seen a talent quite like his again. Not to mention one who's played a record all 20 seasons with the same franchise. We may see another turnaround jumper and another intense first pump after a made basket, but we'll never see another hunger on the court like the one we saw when Kobe Bean Bryant was on the hardwood. 


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