Kobe: 'If I'm walking, I'm playing'
Kobe Bryant wants to ensure he plays in every game before embarking on his post-retirement life.
"If I'm walking, I'm playing," Bryant said to ESPN's Baxter Holmes. "If it wasn't my last season, I probably wouldn't have played (Sunday), honestly."
Despite battling the stomach flu, Bryant suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers' 111-91 loss to the Detroit Pistons. However, his poor play contributed to the defeat, as the 6-foot-6 shooting guard totaled just five points on 2-of-15 shooting.
Coach Byron Scott said Bryant ultimately made the decision to play.
"Before the game, he just told me (that) he wanted to give it a go," Scott stated. "He knew a lot of fans came to see him, so he wanted to try to come out here and perform as best he could. I think he tried to give everything he had."
Bryant said he expects to suit up for Monday night's game versus the Toronto Raptors as his 3-17 Lakers attempt to get back in the win column.