Lakers fans can breathe easy: Kobe Bryant will not suit up for any other team besides the Los Angeles Lakers. This comes on the heels of Phil Jackson’s comments about the long-time Laker potentially leaving the team to join another club, next season. However, in an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Marc Spears, Bryant laid any rumors of leaving the team to rest.
A lot of players want to go to different teams or contend to win championships. I’m a Laker, man. I’m a Laker for better or worse. I’m a Laker, man. How many times do I have to say that? Dude, I bleed purple and gold.
That is a reassuring comment from the veteran, who has played nineteen seasons in the Purple and Gold and has established himself as perhaps the greatest player in franchise history. While most did not give much thought to Kobe ever playing for another NBA team, hearing it from his own mouth is reassuring, to say the least.
Beyond addressing those rumors, Bryant also spoke about the upcoming season. He claimed that he does not have “any expectations” for the season as he does not know how all the new pieces (such as rookie D’Angelo Russell and returning-from-injury Julius Randle) will mesh together. More importantly, Kobe mentioned that he has recovered from his season ending surgery and will be ready to contribute to the Lakers right away:
I can do pretty much everything. I have gone through our strength training getting my shoulder in positions where we would be a little apprehensive. But it feels extremely strong.
In what may be Bryant’s final season, it is comforting to see the Black Mamba at full strength.
