Kobe discusses all in NBA TV interview aired on Monday night…
Los Angeles Lakers veteran Kobe Bryant has revealed that he is hoping for a career “rebirth” as he draws inspiration from the San Antonio Spurs.
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Bryant reiterated during the interview that he was not considering retirement despite being plagued by serious injuries over the last three seasons.
The 36-year-old suffered a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder earlier this season which forced him to sit out the rest of the campaign, and he is now expected to return in time for training camp later in the year after undergoing surgery last month.
However, despite all the setbacks, Bryant is adamant that he will return and he is looking at the Spurs and coach Gregg Popovich as inspiration after their prolonged success and ability to bounce back and prove their doubters wrong.
“I can’t say it is the end,” Bryant said during the interview, according to ESPN. “I thought the Spurs were done 20 years ago. Those guys are still winning.
“So, to answer the question, I can’t say this is the end of my era because I thought their (era) was done and they’re still there. So I’m hoping I can have the same rebirth.”
Bryant remains the highest paid player in the league at $23.5m while he is due to make $25m next year, his last in the NBA with his contract set to expire next summer.
However, his more immediate focus will be on returning to health and having an impact next season, with the Lakers front office expected to make a splash in free agency this summer in order to put talent around him which will in turn give them a chance to be competitive in the West.
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