Currently the Los Angeles Lakers are hoping Dwight Howard wants to play Kobe Bryant for the foreseeable future.
Pushing 35 and rehabbing a ruptured Achilles, the Black Mamba isn’t the ideal superstar partner any more. When healthy, he’s a top-10 superstar, even a half-decade removed from 30. There’s just no telling how healthy he’ll be moving forward.
Existing uncertainty behind his injury hasn’t bruised Kobe’s ego or drive, though. He doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.
Speaking with Mike Trudell of Lakers.com, Kobe said he believes he can play for at least another three years.
I asked @kobebryant how long he'll play: "I feel pretty damn confident I can be at a high level for at least another three years."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 1, 2013
Take note, Dwight. Kobe doesn’t plan on going anywhere. At all. For the next three years. At least. Which equates to 60 percent of the life of your next contract in Los Angeles. At least.
I’m not saying Kobe is a tough sell, but for a player such as Howard who is enthralled at the prospect of heading his own team once again, lurking in the shadows of the Black Mamba for another three or more years could prove detrimental to the Lakers’ sales itch.
That said, if Dwight spurns the Lakers it will be more about the future outlook of his new team and less about whatever he-said, they-said, we-said crap that has taken place in Hollywood. For all we know, every last one of these so-called reports could have been manufactured to 1) give me something to write about during the regular season and 2) you something to read.
To that end, if Kobe believes he can play at a high level for the next few years, that should intrigue Dwight. The Lakers are still going to be flush with cap space after next season. Couldn’t you just picture Kobe taking a massive pay cut, thus still allowing Los Angeles to sign another two star-esque free agents to pair with him, Howard and Steve Nash. I sure could.
Such possibilities do give the Lakers at least some sort of an advantage. All that’s really left is Kobe to willingly hand over the reins of the franchise to Superman. Gestures like that would go a long way in the recruiting process.
But we’ve digressed. This is about Kobe and his future. About all that he still has to offer and plans to offer.
One of these days, he may fall and not get back up in time to hit an awe-inspiring free throw. One of these days, he will walk away from the NBA he ruled forever.
Said day is still a ways off if all goes according to plan. A healthy Kobe showed us he has plenty of basketball left in him last year. And the return of a healthy Kobe all but ensures that we’re not done admiring the on-court exploits of one of the greatest players to step foot on the hardwood for at least another three years.
Maybe more.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
