Kobe Bryant is on the ultimate farewell tour this year, as he will retire following the 2015-16 NBA season. The best way for the Los Angeles Lakers legend to close out his career is winning a gold medal with Team USA when they play in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Of course, the only way Bryant makes the roster is because of that motive only and his past accomplishments. This season is by far the worst of his career statistically, as he's averaging about 17 points per game on 30 percent shooting (22 percent from 3).
USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo, however, says he'll consider brining Kobe along but it'll be based off his performance from this season.
From USA Today:
"When I was approached originally about Kobe’s interest in potentially playing in the Olympics — this goes back early last summer, I guess, or spring — and the concept being that it would be great to end a career, win a gold medal and ride off into the sunset. That was just thrown my way by his agent, Rob Pelinka. I just took it in and I said, 'Rob, I don’t rule anyone out, but it has got to be based on performance because there’s so many people who want (to be on the team) — everyone wants to be on the roster.'"Obviously, Bryant won't make the team because of this reason. Everyone knows it. Either Colangelo will have to brining Kobe on for respective purposes, or he'll have to make the tough decision of cutting him.
Your move, Jerry.
By Josh Dhani
