Report: Kobe ponders retiring at 35
When 33-year-old Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was reminded on Monday that in his rookie season he said he would retire at 35, the veteran said, "it's still probably accurate," according to the Los Angeles Times.
Bryant, who turns 34 in August, is still considered one of the greatest players in the game today, but with just two years remaining on his three-year deal, Bryant could play two more seasons and still retire at 35, as planned.
"That's a long time to be playing," Bryant said. "It'll be the last year of my contract. I don't know if I will play any longer than that. I don't know. It's just a possibility."
With five NBA titles, one MVP, two scoring titles, 14 All-Star games and an Olympic gold medal, Bryant seems to have accomplished everything, but the 16-year veteran is not done yet.
Bryant wants to maximize his opportunity with the time he has left, and he hopes that the recent addition of Steve Nash will translate into more NBA Championships.
"I would love for people to look at my career and say I maximized everything I possibly could," Bryant said. "Every ounce of talent I had, I got the most out of it. If people say that about me, I'll be very happy."
