How Old Will Kobe Be When He Retires?

[Top_Of_Tha_World]

Kobes 28 and has already played 10 seasons in the NBA. How much longer can he play at a high level?

[20 Dimes A Game]

Kobe could play 'till he is 60 and still destroy teams.

[Loki]

36 imo.

[tmacman]

36 at least 40 at most. dead serious....

[Top_Of_Tha_World]

Iunno the way hes playin now, plus playin with team US and everything.I dont see him makin it to 36.

[dejordan]

it'll be interesting to see how he and kg hold up in their early 30s. the 90s generation who stayed relatively healthy were still playing at a very high level (jordan and malone were winning mvps) to the age of 35, but they didn't have all the wear and tear from 18-20 yrs old on their bodies. it might not make a lick of difference, but it might lead to earlier weakening of joints and loss of athleticism or open them up to injuries. i hope not because the more great players are in the league the better!

[L.Kizzle]

thirtyseven yrs old

[dogfah]

29, hopefully

[20 Dimes A Game]

29, hopefully

LOL

[Richie2k6]

Like McGrady, who has back problems that are deteriorating, I'm assuming their bodies will start to slow down when they hit 38-ish since they came right out of high school and have been playing at a high level for years non-stop really.

[bigkingsfan]

34. He already has a lot of mileage, and he doesn't seem like a role type player at the end of his career.

[dejordan]

Like McGrady, who has back problems that are deteriorating, I'm assuming their bodies will start to slow down when they hit 38-ish since they came right out of high school and have been playing at a high level for years non-stop really.
38? even karl malone slowed down by 38. that would be a great accomplishment if they could keep up this kind of production that long.

[Soccer10]

29, hopefully

Now, just why would you want a player like that to retire so quickly?


I can somewhat understand hatred for a player but if you want Kobe Bryant to retire at 29 then you just don't appreciate basketball. Period.

Anyway, he said a few weeks ago that he doesn't see himself playing that much longer..

However, he also once said that he has made a plan a long time ago onhow to prolong his career..

So we"ll see...I think the first statement was a mesage to the management, he loves the game and should play at least until he's 35.

[hwliuLAP]

It really depends
in the past 3 years Kobe probably has had the most wear and tear
just because of how tired and how much work he has to do every game

if in the near future he gets another HOF type player
or even just an All Star Lock type player (lets say KG)
then Kobe has the chance to do well still at 35
if not I'd say after 32, 33 it'd be all down hill

on the other hand, player like KG can easily go up to 38 IMO

[hateraid]

He'll be able to play well into his late 30's. His skillset has enough that even if his athleticism deminishes, he's still got a pretty well rounded game. Just as long as he can shake of the ego that so many oldtimer superstars seem to cling onto.

[Soccer10]

Well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye-0ghhY7uw

[Laker Logic]

I found myself wondering the other day whether his playing style will prolong his career, and whether maybe he's consciously adopted a style that isn't overly hard on his knees/back to try to stay in the game longer.

A common knock on Kobe is that he doesn't go to the rack enough. He's polished his jumper and overall outside game (shot + getting himself open) to a pretty high degree. That's a less efficient but more durable style than going to the hole every posession. Wouldn't be surprised to learn it's something he's done conciously. Either way, time will catch up with him like everybody else. Don't see him playing past 36 or 37.

[Soccer10]

Here's what the most knowledgable poster on the internet said


Eight more years for Kobe sounds optimistic to me. Using Pippen as a guide, plays hard on both ends, athletic, kept in great shape, long career, national team commitments. Total games played regular season and playoffs: 1,378.

After the playoffs end this year Kobe is at ~925 games played career. Figure an average of 80-100 games per season depending on health and playoffs. Set the average at 90. Hits Pippen's games played in five more years.

Can argue Kobe started younger, but the NBA mileage takes a heavy toll, particularly if you have a team making strong playoff runs and don't have summers off with the national team games.

Eight more years is 1,640 games played. Kobe isn't the Bionic Man.


So basically, he doesn't expect him to play that much longer.

[Dizzle-2k7]

i can picture kobe playing the older reggie miller type role once he loses his legs.. say from age 37-40... and being very good at it.

i dont imagine kobe getting blocked on the break by prince though.

[plupiter]

The two main factors in longevity are 1) keeping yourself in shape, and 2) avoiding injury. If you keep yourself in shape, with an intense program, like Kobe and Malone do/did you can be a strong contributor at least to the age 36/37. Jordan led the league in scoring at 35, an exception of course, but he could've played probably two more seasons at a top-10 in the league type level. The problem comes when you let yourself get out of shape, and then try and get it back (Jordan after second retirement, Roy Jones after is Heavyweight fights, etc), then you're rarely the same.

As far as avoinding injuries that may be tougher for Kobe. He already has two minor knee procedures behind him, which Malone or Jordan never had to worry about. Even so I think he has the mind and will to play into his mid-late thirties at a very high level.

[Samurai Swoosh]

He'll be able to play well into his late 30's. His skillset has enough that even if his athleticism deminishes, he's still got a pretty well rounded game. Just as long as he can shake of the ego that so many oldtimer superstars seem to cling onto.
This pretty much accurately describes Kobe. I think Kobe can be the MEGA-star that his of the basketball world, well until he is about 34 / 35 years old. So about 7 more years of his skill set + athleticism. But after that, he would probably turn into a very good role player. And given his skill set, even with severely diminished athleticism, he could play will he is 38 ... IMO. However, it's up to him if he wants to retire as the Kobe Bryant, or just as some HOF who used to be great. I personally rather go out, knowing I can still play. I wouldn't want to be kicked out, and deal with the mental aspect of not being able to dominate the way you once could. That is just a very depressing thought.

[Samurai Swoosh]

As far as avoinding injuries that may be tougher for Kobe. He already has two minor knee procedures behind him, which Malone or Jordan never had to worry about. Even so I think he has the mind and will to play into his mid-late thirties at a very high level.
Jordan broke his foot in his second year. Which is real severe. Kobe has endured more, but only has had minor surgeries. Kobe, by using his accurate jumper, will allow him to extend his career. As opposed to players like Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson, who throw their bodies in the lane and take a physical pounding. They key to longevity is being able to re-invent yourself. MJ and Malone were able to do this, and is one of the reasons they lasted so long. As with any other player who knows how to do so. But it is much more difficult to adapt to new limits on your body, and change your game up in order to still be an elite player and dominate. Kobe having a skill set much similar to Jordan, will probably be able to replicate what Jordan did in terms of changing his game to remain relevant and effective.

[VCDrivesAPorscheToWork]

though Kobe may not be as good a shooter as Reggie, it is conceivable that if Kobe keeps himself in top shape, he could last into his late thirties (no 40s Jordan comebacks unless Kobe retires NOW)

[Samurai Swoosh]

A common knock on Kobe is that he doesn't go to the rack enough. He's polished his jumper and overall outside game (shot + getting himself open) to a pretty high degree. That's a less efficient but more durable style than going to the hole every posession. Wouldn't be surprised to learn it's something he's done conciously.
I believe this as well. Because a dead give away is when you see Kobe just get to the bucket at will. He has the handle, the quickness, and the creativity to get there whenever he wants. And when you do see him do it, he just explodes. I was questioning myself as to why he doesn't do it more often within the past 3-4 seasons, and I realized, he is probably gearing up his game to help him endure a longer tenure in the League. Which makes perfect sense. Dude is thinking ahead.

[GoRapz]

42

[plupiter]

Jordan broke his foot in his second year. Which is real severe. Kobe has endured more, but only has had minor surgeries. Kobe, by using his accurate jumper, will allow him to extend his career.

These are very different injuries. Breaking a bone usually is not a severe injury, in fact bones typically heal stronger than before the break, so in most cases there are no longer term effects. Tearing and removing cartilage is part of a degenerative process in the knee, which never allows one to regain the knee health prior to injury.

[riseagainst]

29, hopefully


BUMP.

i wonder if this dude quit watching basketball after Kobe won 2 more. :lol

LORD MAMBA always proves haters wrong. :bowdown: :bowdown:

[AlphaWolf24]

34. He already has a lot of mileage, and he doesn't seem like a role type player at the end of his career.


:roll: H8erz

[Kobe_6/8]

This pretty much accurately describes Kobe. I think Kobe can be the MEGA-star that his of the basketball world, well until he is about 34 / 35 years old. So about 7 more years of his skill set + athleticism. But after that, he would probably turn into a very good role player. And given his skill set, even with severely diminished athleticism, he could play will he is 38 ... IMO. However, it's up to him if he wants to retire as the Kobe Bryant, or just as some HOF who used to be great. I personally rather go out, knowing I can still play. I wouldn't want to be kicked out, and deal with the mental aspect of not being able to dominate the way you once could. That is just a very depressing thought.


http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kevin-Garnett-Reaction-at-2013-Dunk-Contest.gif

[LoneyROY7]

Kobe could play 'till he is 60 and still destroy teams.

Where you at 20 Dimes? :oldlol:

[Spurs5Rings2014]

He'll be able to play well into his late 30's. His skillset has enough that even if his athleticism deminishes, he's still got a pretty well rounded game. Just as long as he can shake of the ego that so many oldtimer superstars seem to cling onto.

:roll:

[ArbitraryWater]

Like McGrady, who has back problems that are deteriorating, I'm assuming their bodies will start to slow down when they hit 38-ish since they came right out of high school and have been playing at a high level for years non-stop really.

dafuq? :biggums:


thirtyseven yrs old

bingo (unless he still his a birthday coming up)

[Dr Hawk]

Well...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye-0ghhY7uw

Well what? :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[D-Rose]

thirtyseven yrs old
called it?

[TheImmortal]

dafuq? :biggums:



bingo (unless he still his a birthday coming up)
If he plays during the Olympics it'll be 38.. so 38 is the right answer. :applause:

[ArbitraryWater]

If he plays during the Olympics it'll be 38.. so 38 is the right answer. :applause:

Its just a dumb post though, even if he gets it right