Kobe Bryant Retirement Means He Should Step Aside Now
The Kobe Bryant retirement was reported by ESPN today, which means that now is the time for the legendary guard to step away from the overall plan for the Los Angeles Lakers.
This has not been the best of seasons for Bryant. The 15.7 points per game is the lowest average for the 6’6?, 210 pound guard since he was coming off the bench for the Lakers during his first two seasons in the NBA. His 31.5 percent field goal shooting and 19.5 percent three point shooting are well below his career average. Kobe is still healthy enough to play 30 minutes a game, but his body simply is not doing what his mind wishes. The theme for the season thus far has been humility.
To help stop some of the chatter that has been going on, Bryant decided to announce today that he was going to be retiring from the Lakers and the NBA after the season ends. There were those that believe that Kobe might have been willing to give it another try next season to see if he can chase that elusive sixth championship ring that Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan possesses. Rather than doing that, Bryant has opted to enjoy his final season before riding off into the sunset.
For better or worse, Lakers head coach Byron Scott has refused to bench Bryant for his poor play. The two of them have been close friends since Byron was the veteran mentor for Kobe when he was the 13th overall selection in the 1996 NBA Draft. Scott wants to save Bryant the humiliation of being forced to sit on the bench. The decision by Byron has been criticized by many who feel that the double standard being set may cause younger players to feel that things are unfair towards them.
Now that the retirement announcement has been made by Bryant, things are a little easier for Scott. Byron can now tell people that he needs to focus on the future of the Lakers. He can now even utilize Kobe as a sixth man by explaining that he wants Bryant to be healthy enough to finish his final NBA season. By coming off the bench, Kobe will be playing against less talented players, so his numbers might even increase. Bryant would also be under less scrutiny for having bad games.
Thus far this season, the leash has been short for Russell. The rookie has routinely been benched whenever he makes decisions that goes against what Scott wants the Lakers to do. There have even been times where D’Angelo has been kept out of the game for the entire fourth quarter. Byron clearly wants to send a message. With Bryant announcing his retirement, then Russell needs to be allowed the opportunity to play through his mistakes. The more minutes that he can get, the better it is for Los Angeles in the long run.
While he hasn’t exactly set the NBA on fire, second year forward Julius Randle needs to be featured as the franchise player for the Lakers. His averages of 11.5 points and 8.4 rebounds should increase a bit if Scott makes him the focal point of the offense. At 6’9?, 250 pounds, Randle has the size and skills to be able to put up closer to 20 points a game. Maybe even more. The former Kentucky University star has the potential to become a dominant low post scorer and perennial all star player.
Should the Los Angeles Lakers utilize Kobe Bryant as a sixth man during his final season in the NBA before retirement?
[ Featured Photo by Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images ]
