This is how a hall of fame career ends, or so it seems. He didn't get a farewell tour, parting gift from NBA cities, or even an evocative commercial where he strolls up South Figueroa Street on the way to Staples Center. Kobe Bryant, the Lakers' intrepid superstar for over 18 years, didn't need it.
Bryant is - or was - the Black Mamba; an obstinate leader whose veracity on the court was matched only by his no-nonsense demeanor among teammates. He's a five-time NBA champion. A 17-time All-Star; two behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. A Lakers' legend well before his number 24 jersey is placed in the rafters. Playing in Hollywood's backdrop where movie starts and high-profile athletes mingle, Bryant outshone most.
But this isn't how Bryant or avid fans expected him to leave Laker Land; with a soon-to-be surgically repaired shoulder. One that partially contributed to the 36-year-old's career-low .373 field goal percentage this season. He takes as many shots (20.4) as points (22.3), and his 34.8 usage percentage is fifth highest in the league just behind a quartet of 26-and-under players, after all.
Michael Jordan's final moment as a Chicago Bull was crossing-over Utah's Byron Russell to hit a 1998 NBA Finals-winning 20-footer. Bryant's possibly last moment as a Laker? Whiffing on a left-handed 8-footer in a meaningless game against New Orleans. That's no way for a legend to go out.
Bryant is obligated to come back in 2015--16, and there's little double he would want to, but the Lakers are in rebuilding mode and his diminished skillset - along with the $25 million owed next season - impedes them from moving forward. The Lakers' front office knows it's time for a change. Bryant might even know it himself. And now, fans are chiming in.
In a recent Los Angeles Times poll, 65 percent of voters said Bryant should retire, signifying that at least some Lakers fans are ready to move on. That's two-thirds of voters who know the Lakers need to cut their losses.
If Bryant does retire or land with another club, who becomes the face of Lakers' basketball?
Nick Young already carries somewhat of a leadership role by averaging 14.4 points per game; trailing only Bryant for the team lead. Young, however, often lets emotion get the better of him. The enigmatic 29-year-old played only eight minutes in a 99-87 loss to Houston because head coach Byron Scott felt "with his body language that [Young] didn't want to play tonight." Young went scoreless, created three turnovers, and sat out the entire second half.
In some ways, Young was bred to be in Los Angeles. He epitomizes the Hollywood façade: outspoken, a name dropper - he casually told Phoenix's Goran Dragic that he'll talk to Kevin Love about joining the Lakers - and he's dating Australian Hip-Hop artist Iggy Azalea. If only he could back his off-the-court persona on the court.
The eight-year veteran takes up about 26 percent of the Lakers possessions but is shooting at a career-low .373 clip. His defense is shaky, at best. Given a golden opportunity with Bryant gone, Young's second year in purple and gold has as many highlight-reel moments as it does forgettable ones.
With a team-friendly contract that runs through 2018 at just under $5 million per year, Young may be filling Bryant's shoes long. Success in the immediate future - if possible - doesn't lie with Young. It sits on injured power forward Julius Randle's shoulders.
The 20-year-old rookie broke his right leg midway through fourth quarter of an opening night loss to Houston. It was a devastating blow to the centerpiece of the Lakers' rebuilding process, one Mitch Kupchak loquaciously praised when selecting Randle with the seventh overall pick last June.
One leg break and an unrelated foot surgery later, Randle may never live up to his promise. There's no guarantee he'll even be ready for camp next summer. Bryant may not be there to mentor Randle by then.
With Young's capriciousness, uncertainty around Randle, and Bryant's impending adieu, Los Angeles is a team without identity. That's their reality until Bryant and the Lakers go their separate ways.
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