Kobe Bryant revealed Saturday that he is removing his name for a spot in the United States national basketball team, which will be competing at the Rio de Janeiro summer Olympic games. It means that, five-time NBA champion is going to announce his retirement from basketball. If it happens, he would be passing his 20th and final season with the Los Angeles Lakers in NBA.
Bryant made his retirement announcement before the Lakers vs Utah Jazz match in the Salt Lake City. He has already informed USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and Olympic basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, saying that his time is at the end and let the others to fill his place. Kobe Bryant has won Olympic gold medals twice in 2008 and 2012. He desires to leave the place for the youngsters as they are the future of this game.
There was one other player who knew Bryant’s retirement news beforehand. On Thursday night, when Lakers played at Golden State and a warrior’s guard Leandro Barbosa- a Brazilian basketball player approached to him and said, ”see you in Rio”. Bryant turned around and replied, “No!”. Kobe Bryant is NBA’s no-3 all time top scorer. Probably it was his consideration that if a took a spot on the 12-men US basketball roster for the summer Olympics, and then could not play because of injury, he could wind up the chance of winning gold medals for the national team. However, Bryant has dealt with numerous injuries in the recent years. He strongly believes that the young players deserve an Olympic spot.
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As a part of US national team, Kobe Bryant was a perfect record holder. He took part in five different US national teams over his basketball career. With all those teams, he holds a 36-0 record in the international competition. But, he will be helping his national side in an unofficial way.
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Kobe Bryant revealed in earlier in November that it would mean the world to him to participate in one more Olympic . Although his head and heart wanted to go to Rio with the team, the 37-year-old body doesn’t seem to cooperate. However, he has got plenty of business relations all over the world and still recognized as one of the most popular athletes in the world.
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Kobe Bryant has underwent some major injuries in the recent years. There is major concern about his tendo Achilles. Bryant has already missed eight games this season in NBA. His last season in NBA is quite a memorable for him as the fans have celebrated by his name on the road. Even the Celtics fans gave the longtime Laker rival a long warm salute. Kobe Bryant is almost certain to be the highest vote-getter for the All-Star NBA Game in Toronto next month.
