Kobe Done?

[MA]

Torn Achilles. Is this a career ender? I know Kobe is the ultimate competitor and he will do everything he can to get back... but will he ever be the same?

[Valleysports]

Yes,  Yes,  No

[MA]

I've never been a Kobe fan. But as a basketball fan today is a terrible day. I can't even imagine the playoffs without Kobe. This isn't right. I'm rooting for him. But the Kobe Bryant we have become accustomed to is gone. Sad day for basketball

[Lions84]

YES he is done as Popeyes Fried Chicken.

[vtowneagles]

Kobe won't go out like that! Been through too much!!

[KOJACK]

Kobe won't go out like that! Been through too much!!

True, but he won't hang on and be an average player. His pride won't allow it.

[vtowneagles]

The real question is are the lakers done this year?

[Russ PhD]

Having gone through this injury, it will be about a year before he can WALK normally.  I don't think he will ever be able to get to be an "average" NBA player especially considering his age.

[Breitontime]

Extraordinary athletes have a way of making it back, and faster than normal people.

Kobe is an extraordinary athlete.

[Russ PhD]

Extraordinary athletes have a way of making it back, and faster than normal people.

Kobe is an extraordinary athlete.

I don't think you understand Achilles tendon injuries.  He may make it back in less than a year, but I would be surprised. 

I had daily physical therapy and followed the ortho doc recommendations to the letter and it was a full year before I could walk normally.  This isn't having your knee scoped.  At 2 months, I still thought I would never walk again without crutches.

[Valleysports]

Extraordinary athletes have a way of making it back, and faster than normal people.

Kobe is an extraordinary athlete.

True - but he is an extraordinary 34 yr old.  I know you haven't experienced it yet, but time is one of his biggest opponents now.  Coming up on 35 yrs old ..... doubtful he'll be ready next season ......36.  Lakers are struggling to make Playoffs.  When does a player begin to weigh the pro's & con's of retirement?

[Breitontime]

Kobe said today he was walking without a limp.

[Coach DePriest, Sheridan]

Extraordinary athletes have a way of making it back, and faster than normal people.

Kobe is an extraordinary athlete.

True - but he is an extraordinary 34 yr old.  I know you haven't experienced it yet, but time is one of his biggest opponents now.  Coming up on 35 yrs old ..... doubtful he'll be ready next season ......36.  Lakers are struggling to make Playoffs.  When does a player begin to weigh the pro's & con's of retirement?

All-time scoring record may be motivation for him.

[Breitontime]

He says he will be playing in December. His docs say his rehab is going great, and is ahead of schedule. Like I said, extraordinary athletes, don't adhere to regular people's rules.

[Peety]

He's already posted pictures of him shooting. He will be back in a big way in 2013-14. Watch

[Valleysports]

Extraordinary athletes have a way of making it back, and faster than normal people.

Kobe is an extraordinary athlete.

True - but he is an extraordinary 34 yr old.  I know you haven't experienced it yet, but time is one of his biggest opponents now.  Coming up on 35 yrs old ..... doubtful he'll be ready next season ......36.  Lakers are struggling to make Playoffs.  When does a player begin to weigh the pro's & con's of retirement?

Hang it up - bring in young tendons, ligaments, and muscle Kobe!

[Valleysports]

+1

[HorseFeathers]

Extraordinary athletes have a way of making it back, and faster than normal people.

Kobe is an extraordinary athlete.

True - but he is an extraordinary 34 yr old.  I know you haven't experienced it yet, but time is one of his biggest opponents now.  Coming up on 35 yrs old ..... doubtful he'll be ready next season ......36.  Lakers are struggling to make Playoffs.  When does a player begin to weigh the pro's & con's of retirement?

He's a 35 year old that has 18.5 years worth of games on those legs....Age catches up even with the best of us...

[beach bum]

Extraordinary athletes have a way of making it back, and faster than normal people.

Kobe is an extraordinary athlete.

True - but he is an extraordinary 34 yr old.  I know you haven't experienced it yet, but time is one of his biggest opponents now.  Coming up on 35 yrs old ..... doubtful he'll be ready next season ......36.  Lakers are struggling to make Playoffs.  When does a player begin to weigh the pro's & con's of retirement?

100 games a year counting the postseason. I like to think I have a feisty spirit but that is just too much....

He's a 35 year old that has 18.5 years worth of games on those legs....Age catches up even with the best of us...

[Valleysports]

Hang it up - bring in young tendons, ligaments, and muscle Kobe!

+1

[HorseFeathers]

Valley...I'm not sure you understand the +1 thing

[Valleysports]

Extraordinary athletes have a way of making it back, and faster than normal people.

Kobe is an extraordinary athlete.

True - but he is an extraordinary 34 yr old.  I know you haven't experienced it yet, but time is one of his biggest opponents now.  Coming up on 35 yrs old ..... doubtful he'll be ready next season ......36.  Lakers are struggling to make Playoffs.  When does a player begin to weigh the pro's & con's of retirement?

Hang it up - bring in young tendons, ligaments, and muscle Kobe!

[beach bum]

You are definitely a hoot today.... Kobe in his mind is going for 30 ppg next year. All on 11 for 32 nights from the field.

[Infamous]

The Lakers could be back to being a contender in a few years. Kobe will finally be gone after next season. So, superstars will be more receptive of the idea to coming to LA. With his contract off the books, it'll free up a surplus of cash. That, and Randle will be back to full strength next season along with them possessing the #2 pick in this year's draft.

[mtindian42]

Best player on the lakers is deangelo russell

[Legend]

I never really liked Kobe but to see someone end their career like that is horrible. He is one of the all time greats!

[VHSCoach2]

Kobe Bryant has released a statement that he will be retiring at season's end.

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/dear-basketball/

[1-Adam-12]

Kobe Bryant has released a statement that he will be retiring at season's end.

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/dear-basketball/

This should be required reading for every basketball player.  Not a Kobe fan, but this really moved me.  A great tribute to the game.

[VHSCoach2]

The title of this thread "Kobe Done?" will need the question mark removed after tonight.

Mamba's last game.  Hopefully he can go out with a win.

[beach bum]

The title of this thread "Kobe Done?" will need the question mark removed after tonight.

Mamba's last game.  Hopefully he can go out with a win.

I took the question mark off for my post haha...... And the Lakers are lucky relegation isn't a part of the NBA! We might have to watch Sioux Falls of the D-League vs. LA Lakers if that was the case

[AirWarren]

Cutter morning stars vs the lakers.

[AirWarren]

This should be required reading for every basketball player.  Not a Kobe fan, but this really moved me.  A great tribute to the game.

Just read that. Not a Kobe fan, but he is certainly one of the best in my generation. Great read.

[BigLion10]

Kobe drops 60 in his farewell game

[Redwolves8526]

That was absolutely incredible last night. Yes he took a lot of shots, but he heated up big time in the 4th. Vintage Kobe. Once he got that look in his eyes, you could tell he was going to take the game over. Going to miss the Mamba!

[Longfellow]

6-21 from the 3 point line. 22-50 from the field. Volume shooter. Volume scorer. Great game from a great player, but 50 shots is ridiculous.

[Redwolves8526]

6-21 from the 3 point line. 22-50 from the field. Volume shooter. Volume scorer. Great game from a great player, but 50 shots is ridiculous.

The 3pt stat line looks bad, but shooting 44 percent isn't too terrible.

[VHSCoach2]

6-21 from the 3 point line. 22-50 from the field. Volume shooter. Volume scorer. Great game from a great player, but 50 shots is ridiculous.

Shaq challenged him to get 50 points in his final game, probably as a joke, but Kobe took him seriously.  Kobe wanted to have the most memorable last game, and I think he did just that. 

In my opinion, the greatest Laker of all time put on one final show for everyone to see.

In future years, basketball fans will be asking, "Where were you on April 13, 2016, the day of Kobe's final game and the day the Warriors broke the record?"