Generally speaking, when a 34-year-old NBA veteran of nearly 17 grueling seasons suffers a devastating torn Achilles injury, many people would simply call it a career. Especially one who has won countless NBA MVP awards, league scoring titles as well as NBA Championships. When you add in the fact that their team has struggled over the past couple of seasons and the intention that this superstar only intended to play one more year after this one all along, and we have all the makings of a retirement ceremony.
Just don’t think any of that will be true when it comes to Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.
After struggling to just remain in the chase for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference all season long, mired with the fact that the coach who should be on the bench is not, topped off with the obvious conclusion that his teammates are simply not pulling their collective weight, it would be completely justified if Bryant decided to call it a career. After all, what else is left for him to accomplish?
How about that one final chance to prove everyone wrong? After all, it is what Bryant lives for and also what has fueled him for so many years. He has made a living from this and, despite this latest setback, that part of him will never change.
The end may be near, but it sure as hell has not come quite yet.
Bryant himself has teased us over the past couple of days with hints that this could be the end, followed by statements that he does not believe that it is over as it relates to his NBA career with the Lakers.
“Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was,” Bryant wrote on his Facebook page. “Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me … Then again, maybe not!”
“One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence.” Bryant continued on Facebook. “Today is NOT that day.”
When it comes to Bryant, is this someone you could truly ever doubt? Can you bet against a player who has that shear level of will and desire and dedication? A large part of it is ego with Bryant. It always will be, at least to a certain degree. But it is ego that has gotten him to this point, and it could be ego that actually cause him to take this Achilles injury – one that should sideline him for the next 6-9 months – and lead him to not only start the 2013-2014 NBA season on opening night for the Lakers, but also play beyond next season.
While it may sound inconceivable to most Lakers’ fans, a torn Achilles may have been the best thing to happen to Bryant and their team going forward.
A torn Achilles will end Bryant’s season. It will not end his career.
It could actually extend it.
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