The Los Angeles Lakers are having a season worth forgetting, but Kobe Bryant believes that the current struggles of the team will make them better in the long run.
However, it is worth wondering whether Kobe will even be a part of the Lakers teams that might benefit from these learning experiences, as the team believes that he will retire after his current contract ends.
Knicks Players Doubting Triangle?
The Lakers currently sit at 5-16 and look headed towards another high draft pick thanks to an atrocious defense. Things are so bad that Kobe recently said, "If this was the Titanic, I would go down with the ship. I'm not jumping off."
Kobe also added, "This is where you find out what your identity will be. You find out who's competitive and who's going to step up and take the challenge." He sounds hopeful that the team will learn from its struggles, but it is unclear whether that will be the case. The team is expected to look radically different in two years' time, as nearly every player on the team is under a short-term contract.
No Timetable For Dwight Howard's Return
That kind of renovation will be required before the Lakers can return to title contention, and there is no guarantee that Bryant will be around for that. He signed a two-year extension that was widely panned because of its value, and the team sounds hopeful that Kobe will leave the team when it expires.
According to media reports, GM Mitch Kupchak recently said, "All indications are, to me, from him, that this (two-year contract) is going to be it. If somebody's thinking of buying a ticket three years from now to see Kobe play, I would not do that. Don't wait. Do it this year."
If one wanted to read between the lines, the argument could also be made that the Lakers are giving notice that they will not be re-signing Bryant when his current contract ends, even if he does want to remain in the league.
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