On Saturday In Utah, Kobe Bryant revealed that he will not play in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro because, well, he wants his final game of basketball to be in the purple and gold of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kobe said as "beautiful as it would be to play for our country," he's looking forward to having his very last game be in a Lakers jersey. — Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 17, 2016
Bryant spoke to reporters ahead of Saturday's game, as he has become accustomed to doing in road games in his 20th and final season. Considering the fanfare surrounding Bryant on his slow trot to the finish line, Bryant would likely have received an invitation from the USA Basketball for the work he specifically did with Team USA in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 Olympics in London.
Kobe just said he's not going to play in the Olympics: "I think it's the young guys' turn to go and play and perform." — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 17, 2016
Instead, Bryant's decision to allow young players to play should free up a roster spot for a player more deserving of the honor based on recent performance on the court. When it comes to popularity, sold out arenas, chanting fans and All-Star voting prove that Bryant remains ahead of the field and would be a welcome sight.
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However, if the 37-year-old can stay healthy through game no. 82 of his 20th NBA season, one can understand why Bryant may not be rushing to go through a training camp with Team USA and put his body through a playoff-like atmosphere over the summer.
Bryant's decision should be met with slight disappointment because the visual of the two-time gold medalist finishing his career with another triumph would be far more welcome than the scheduled conclusion of Bryant finishing has career on a losing team that expects to miss the playoffs.
Ultimately, though, Bryant's decision to finish his career wearing the Lakers' uniform should make for a memorable moment for the lifelong Lakers' fan that grew up to play 20 years with the Lakers. In many ways, finishing his career with the Lakers could well be the most fitting conclusion to an incredible career.
