When Kobe Bryant signed a two-year contract extension, most assumed it was his final deal. The Los Angeles Lakers were more than generous when they inked the veteran to a two-year, $48.5 million contract that runs through the 2015-16 season. After all the injuries over the past two seasons, many assumed that Bryant would retire after his contract expires. However, Bryant simply laughs off the idea of calling it quits.
Bryant is coming off his second season-ending injury, confident his health will be fine throughout the entire 2014-15 season. With that new found confidence comes the idea that Bryant will play past his current contracts despite what many believe. The veteran is under the idea that he can play well into his late 30's as long as he maintains his body.
"The biggest key for anybody in retirement is you always want to retire by choice," Bryant said, via Yahoo Sports. "Hopefully, I will be fortunate enough to have that option. You don't want to see another catastrophic injury or something like that. When you walk away, you want to feel like you walked away on your terms."
Bryant notes that Derek Jeter has served as his inspiration. The New York Yankees star walked away from baseball on his own terms instead of being forced out, something Bryant intends to do. The veteran is entering his 19th season in the league. He missed 19 games while recovering from a torn Achilles before missing another 57 games with a fractured left knee. He was last seen on the court Dec. 17 against the Memphis Grizzlies. Bryant stresses that he is healthy and confident in the season ahead.
"The guys that we have on the team now are so much younger," Bryant said. "It requires a little different touch. Most of the guys, I don't know personally, so it takes some time to get to know them a little bit, get to know their personalities. In the past I knew all the guys. Most of the guys were veterans and had been in the league for a while and was familiar with them a little bit more. These guys, not so much, so it's going take a little time to get to know them.
Steve Nash is taking the same approach as Bryant, focused more on getting healthy after two seasons marred by injuries as well. With Jeremy Lin on the roster now, there is pressure on Nash with his starting spot not guaranteed for the season. Head coach Byron Scott says he is not worried about starters but more so team health.