Bryant is a 17-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer, but injuries and declining production are clearly leading to the end of his career.
His scoring has dropped three of the past four seasons, and he played in just 41 games in two seasons prior to this year because of injuries.
To make matters worse—and what has to be eating at the ultra-competitive Bryant—the Lakers have not made the playoffs the past two seasons and are on pace for 15 wins after a 2-9 start this year.
Just 11 days ago on Nov. 8, Bryant said 2015-16 could be his last year but was not ready to make it definitive, per Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com.
"If you asked me today, this would be my last year. But you never know," said Bryant, who is in the final year of his deal with the Lakers. "We'll keep it open. Whatever happens, happens."
His latest comments have to stem from the fact his 37-year-old body is starting to give way to Father Time. He's played in just eight of the Lakers' 11 games and was ailing Sunday before sitting out for the third time in five games Monday, per Baxter.
This tweet from SportsCenter summed up just how tough it's been for him this season:
In early November, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported the 20-year veteran expressed his interest in playing for Team USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. However, the grind of an 82-game season is clearly starting to take effect on the five-time champion.
He's averaged 36.5 minutes per game for his career and is down to 30.4 this year, which still may be too much.
Micah Peters of USA Today wrote about Kobe's situation Thursday and said this should be his last seaso...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
