Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers great and longtime nemesis of the Celtics, has apparently indicated the 2015-16 season will be his last with the Lakers.
“He has indicated to me that this is it,” Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said in an interview with SiriusXM NBA radio.
Coming up on what would be his 20th NBA season, Bryant will haul in a league-high $25 million in what will be the final season of his contract with the Lakers.
CSNNE: Lakers’ GM: “This is it” – Next season will be Kobe’s last
Once the schedule comes out in July, we’ll have to circle that Lakers date for one more chance to heartily boo Kobe Bryant.
Actually, I think it’d be nice to applaud him for what he’s done during his introduction as a gesture of recognition for a great career. It’s the equivalent of shaking your opponents hand, patting him on the shoulder, and saying “good game” after you just spent a couple of hours trying to kill each other. When it’s all over, you give even your biggest rival a nod of respect.
Yeah, Kobe is a total prick on the court. But a lot of the best ever were the same way. You can’t deny what this guy has done as a basketball player. I think it’d be nice to give him one hat tip before we boo him mercilessly every time he touches the ball.
It’s too bad injuries robbed us of more chances to have that Celtics-Lakers rivalry truly return. The two matchups were great, but if I could have one basketball wish, it would be to have avoided those Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins injuries and have the Celtics be sitting at 19 titles right now and Kobe 0-3 against Boston in the Finals.
Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. And his career will go out with a whimper as two middle-of-the-road teams face off sometime next season for his farewell.
C’est la vie.
The least we can do is send him off right… with a big chorus of boos throughout the game.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE: Virginia’s Anderson: Tony Allen with a better jumper? | Celtics.com: 2014-15 season recap | Washington Post: Wizards waiting on Paul Pierce’s decision | ESPN: Cavs blow out Hawks in Atlanta, take 2-0 series lead
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