Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA game on April 5, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo : Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
This week saw the retirement of two sports icons: Manny Pacquiao and Kobe Bryant. Both left in spectacular fashion with fans questioning whether retirement was a good idea.
Pacquiao won a fight against a former champion in his prime, in a fight that was better than the two previous Bradley outings and Pacman even confessed that he was close to knocking him out.
On the other hand, Kobe Bryant came out blazing shooting 50 shots and scoring 60 points with a remarkable comeback against the Utah Jazz. Some experts at ESPN thought it was one of his best, like Ramona Shelburne.
"Agree. 81 points is the best game," Shelburne said. "He had some other sublime games over the years, too. But to do this at 37 years of age, on 50 shots, after the season the Lakers had, in his final game? It was astonishing."
There were some fans who thought that his farewell game rivaled, or even exceeded his all-time second highest scoring feat. That may be a stretch but this one should definitely be on the top 5.
Bryant showed that he is not washed up and there was some buzz that maybe there is still more gas left in his tank. While most boxing fans believe Pacquiao will still fight again, how about Bryant?
ESPN insider Amin Elhassan, known for his "hot takes" declared that he won't be surprised if Kobe announces a return next season: "Hell, nah! I'm waiting for the inevitable, "You know what? Let's give it one more go-round!"
But as J.A. Adande points out, there's the emotional roller coaster that the fans all around the league went through during his retirement tour. All of the fond remembrances would look ridiculous not to mention the tributes made by Nike and his other sponsors.
Not to mention that the Lakers themselves are already making their plans to rebuild their team without him, whom they relied on for the past 20 seasons.
On that note, what if the Lakers somehow score Kevin Durant, or other top free agents? Wouldn't Kobe want to join in the fun and chase another title in a much smaller role? It would not fit his personality but what if the main reason for his retirement-as Bryant said, his body, actually heals?
This is the logic behind Kenny Smith's short interview with TMZ where he mentioned that it's a 60-40 possibility. This was in January and the retirement tour was already underway.
Well, there is always a chance.
