Kobe Bryant says next NBA season could ‘absolutely’ be his last

Kobe Bryant. AP FILE PHOTO

Lakers fans better expect an end. Kobe Bryant hinted that the 2015-2016 NBA season could be his last.

Talking to Yahoo Sports, the five-time NBA Champion said the date is not yet settled and that the decision was tough for him to make.

“We haven’t set anything in stone and I’ve talked about it before. But could this be the last [season]? Absolutely. It’s tough to decide. It’s really tough to make those types of decisions. Players I have spoken to say, ‘Kobe you will know.’”

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Bryant played sparingly during the 2014-2015 season after a torn rotator cuff sidelined the 17-time All-Star.

“I’m making this very simple. Either I like playing the game and going through this process or I don’t. I try to strip it down to the simplest form. Either I like playing some more or I don’t. But I think that decision needs to be made after the season. It’s hard to make a decision like that before the season.”

Still, Bryant said he does not want any farewell tour from the Los Angeles Lakers as he will only become officially retired after he steps away from the game for good.

Bryant said he’s undecided if he wants to retire or not.

“It’s hard to do that type of stuff because I don’t know if I’m going to retire or not. It’s not a swan song when it all has not been written.” IDL