Kobe Bryant on Playing Beyond Next Season: "No"

Kobe's having thoughts about hanging it up after next year.

Image via USA Today Sports/Chris Humphreys

Kobe Bryant is sick of losing. Every day he's on the Los Angeles Lakers and they're still mired in defeat, he probably dies a little bit inside. We all saw how uncomfortable he was with his teammate's antics and perpetual losing ways—old man Kobe is fed up, and he indicated as much to the L.A. Times' Eric Pincus last night. 

"As I sit here right now, do I want to play after next year? No. That could change,"  he told reporters as the Lakers prepared to beat the hapless Reggie Jackson-led Pistons 93-85 in L.A.

Next season concludes the 2-year/$48.5 million extension he signed back in November 2013. Not only will Kobe be out of contract after the 2015-2016 season, but he'll also be months away from his 38th birthday. If Kobe is already having doubts about a potential 20th NBA season, it's likely because the Lakers aren't in any position to give him a chance at a coveted sixth ring. This season was the earliest the Lakers have been eliminated from playoff contention since moving to L.A. 

Kobe also elaborated on the rehab process from the torn rotator cuff that currently has him sidelined. He's been shut down by season-ending injuries three-straight years now.

"After three years of dealing with this crap, you kind of understand why I don't want to deal with it anymore," he said.

"This is much more encouraging [than the Achilles' tear]. I can move around . . . my spirits are much higher." Kobe's scheduled to begin running within the next two weeks. 

Not high enough to get on board with 2016 though. Kobe seems like he's starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel: "If something is going to go, it goes. Father Time got me, there's nothing else I can do about it."

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[via L.A. Times]

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