Is this the end ?

On December 18, Kobe Bryant hyperextended his left knee in Los Angeles Lakers’ match against Memphis Grizzles. Kobe being Kobe, continued playing and finished the match. MRI scans taken later showed a knee fracture that ruled him out for a minimum of three weeks. Kobe had played only 6 games this season after an Achilles injury in the last season which caused him to be sidelined for last year’s playoffs and the beginning of this season. The Lakers went 2-4 in the matches Kobe played and he clearly seemed rusty and out of rhythm. The new injury makes us wonder, is this the end of the road for the Superstar?

After dominating the NBA for the past 2 decades, Kobe Bryant wasn’t part of the Christmas Day matches for the 1st time since 1997. And that was his 2nd season, which means, he has been part of Christmas Day showdown for the past 16 years. From facing Shaq and the Miami Heat, to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics’ Big Three, Kobe has played against the best the sport had to offer. He was the benchmark against which players compared themselves in terms of how well they were performing in the season. With the latest injury, Kobe’s chances of that 6th ring seemed more difficult. That elusive 6th ring. The one that means so much to him because that’s how much Micheal Jordan has. Will Kobe get that equaling ring? It’s something all of us ponder. Let’s look at the factors :

1. Age :- At the age of 35, Kobe is at the twilight of his career. He has a maximum of 3 years left in his tank. There is no guarantee he would remain injury free during this period or the fact that he will be able to play at his old level after his return from the injury.
2. Style of play :- One of the main reasons why people consider that Kobe is done for is his style of play. The amazing footwork, mixing up of penetration, fakes and dazzling dribbling have always put pressure on his body. His athleticism has definitely reduced since the late 90s and early 2000s. Though his skill and talent can still make him a threat any day, the chances that he will dominate the game like he used to is less.
3. The L.A.Lakers :- While opposition teams have improved their rosters through trades and drafts, the Lakers seem to be getting nowhere. After signing Dwight Howard before last season, the Lakers traded him to the Houston Rockets after just one season due to him being a misfit. Steve Nash has failed to impress and seems old and almost done. The teams in the West have also gotten better. San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder – all seem to be teams that can win the east. And all of them seem to be way better than the Lakers on paper.
4. The will to win :- One thing that Kobe still has on his side is his desire to win. Asked about his future after the Lakers-Heat match, Kobe said that he will be playing again this season and hopes to get back to court as early as possible. His eyes still show the hunger to win championships and it assures us that Kobe can still push himself to win matches and go deep in the playoffs.

With 5 NBA championships, 15-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team, Kobe Bryant is definitely a Hall of Famer. Compared to Micheal Jordan throughout his career, Kobe needs one more ring to catch MJ23. Whether he will get it or not is something only the future will tell us. But as of now, his chances look bleak.