Would Kobe Bryant Replace Charles Barkley On TNT?
As of late, recently encouraged from the lips of Kobe Bryant himself, the top subject regarding the 36-year-old superstar is now retirement. If Kobe were to call it quits after this season, much like many popular athletes after their tenure, it’s possible that another career option would be open for him right out of the gate: analyst.
NBA on TNT’s Charles Barkley doesn’t seem intent on sticking around for the near future. Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated suggests that Kobe should be the target replacement if Barkley does bow out:
‘If Charles Barkley is serious about leaving sports broadcasting when his current contract with Turner Sports expires in 2016 (the prediction in this space is that he will ultimately end up extending his stay with Turner) the network needs to think about a succession plan. The truth is no one can replace Barkley, the most impactful and valuable studio analyst on sports television today. But there is a name out there who could have a Barkley-like impact on an NBA studio show or remote broadcast if he has interest in broadcasting as a post-NBA career.
His name is Kobe Bryant.
There are certain traits shared by the best sports broadcasters: intelligence, passion, credibility and honesty. Personally, I like a bit of edge and distance from the establishment, too. Bryant possesses all of these. If you talk to NBA beat and national writers, Bryant has become one of the best interview subjects in the game. That he’s also an all-time great is a huge marketing bonus.
This would absolutely be the right thinking on TNT’s part, for all of the reasons explained by Deitsch. It would be especially epic to have Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal on the same panel together. But up to this point, we don’t have much reason to believe that Kobe would be interested.
We have been seeing a different Kobe than we’re accustomed to lately, it seems ever since the “charmin” incident, so who knows? This could be a way to stay close to the game.
