Kobe Bryant (Photo : Harry How | Getty Images Sport)
Kobe Bryant will start his 20th NBA season, all with the Los Angeles Lakers.
While the debate continues on whether this will be his final season, one prediction stated that he might not even reach that far.
According to Lake Show Life's Eric Yee, his bold prediction for the team is that Kobe Bryant may not be able finish the season and call it quits, as "Father Time has caught up with him."
Yee emphasized that as the editor of a Lakers' fansite, he is a "diehard" fan, but the signs already point to the inevitable. He points out the successive season ending injuries Bryant sustained and even prior to those, Kobe has already had all the treatments and surgery to extend his career.
"As a die hard Kobe fan, it is difficult to say this, but all signs point to the Black Mamba announcing his retirement before the close of the 2015-16 NBA Season. Ironically, the NBA put out a hype video prior to the 2013-14 season which predicted just that."
This is the video which is a supercut of predictions and possibilities. Some of them have materialized, like the Warriors championship.
NBC Sports Kurt Helin also explored Kobe's options. The truth is he can still make big career decisions like re-signing with the Lakers, signing with another team (like the rumored Knicks) or even play in China for one season where Kobe is such an icon.
However, it all hinges on his health, which is why he concludes that retirement is the most likely outcome.
"We all know the mythology of Kobe's competitiveness - much of that myth is true - and it will be a challenge for him to move on from the game," Helin explains. "Having been around him, I believe him when he says he doesn't want to play for any other franchise."
He added: "I also think Kobe will get to the end of this season and see some hope in the direction the Lakers are headed (with D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle) but realize they are still years away from title contention (and that's if things go right). There is not a good enough Lakers short term, so he will choose to walk away."
