Should Kobe Bryant retire after the 2015-16 NBA season?
The Los Angeles Lakers star is set for a strong return this season after sitting out most of last year due to injuries. Although the Black Mamba is feeling positive about his return, what his critics bring up is "Kobe Bryant retirement" because of the wear and tear he suffered in the past few years.
For NBA legend Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant retirement should take place after next season. Not in 2017, 2018, 2019 but next year.
The former Houston Rockets wants the Black Mamba to step away from the game soon not because he has nothing to offer anymore but because it would be a shame if what people will see is an incompetent Black Mamba.
"I hope he retires, because I don't want to see - I probably played two years too long. I hate to see Patrick Ewing, great as he was, struggle - I don't like seeing great players just out there, you know?" Barkley said in an interview with Sirius XM Radio, transcribed by FoxSports.com.
Barkley argues that Kobe Bryant retiring early will prevent him from becoming like Michael Jordan Washington Wizards version.
"Michael Jordan playing for the Wizards, that didn't do anything for me. Kobe's obviously not going to walk away from $30 million. This should be like a farewell tour, play 20, 25 minutes a night," Barkley said.
"The Lakers aren't going to make the playoffs. Could he play some more? Yeah, of course. His best days are behind him. I hear these fools on TV, talking about, 'Kobe's going to get healthy.' Old people don't get healthy; they die. Old people don't get healthy. Father Time is undefeated. ... You can get in great shape in the summer, because you're playing against air. Air doesn't hit back."
Kobe Bryant retirement might not take place anytime soon. According to the Black Mamba himself, he is feeling good physically and mentally right now. He is also positive about the path that Los Angeles Lakers organization is going.
