This is still Kobe Bryant’s team.
In a day and age where players are switching teams left and right, it’s a rarity to see someone stick with one squad throughout his entire career.
Bryant’s playing days aren't over yet, but whether you’re a fan or not—there’s really no in between, is there?—you have to admit that 16 years in one city is an impressive feat.
What’s maybe even more impressive is the duration for which Bryant has continued to be successful, if not down-right dominant.
At 33 years old last season, Bryant averaged 27.9 points—the second-most in the league—and was right on par with his career averages with 4.6 assists and 5.4 rebounds.
Bryant’s shot selection has always been a topic of debate, and while he shot just 43 percent last year, he remains one of the NBA’s top shooting guards, as well as one of the league’s most impressive scorers.
Despite rarely missing games, Bryant has been more banged up than he’s ever willing to show on the court. If he can stay relatively healthy over the next two years, and prove that age truly is just a number, he will remain the face of this famed franchise until the day he finally hangs it up for good.
That being said, there’s a reason Steve Nash and Dwight Howard were brought in this offseason.
The Lakers struggled mightily last year, and while Bryant is going to be the man again next season, he proved that he needs help if they’re going to take down the Big Four of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Nash should prove to be the team’s best point guard since Magic Johnson, and if anybody can get so many star players to work to...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
