After playing in just 41 games over the past two seasons, Bryant entered this, his 20th season, trying to regain some of the form that made him a 17-time All-Star.
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But things haven’t gone as planned for Bryant, who is shooting just 37 percent from the field and 23 percent from beyond the arc. The struggles have even led Bryant to proclaim this season could be his last if things don’t change.
“If something changes, I’ll come back and play next season,” Bryant said, via the New York Daily News. “If something doesn’t change, this is it for me.”
The Lakers, who are off to a 2-9 start, don’t provide much incentive for Bryant to continue from a winning standpoint.
This isn’t the first time Bryant has talked about walking away from the game as his heavy minutes total weighs him down. Bryant, 37, has played over 30 minutes in five of the eight games in which he has been active.
Lakers coach Byron Scott doesn’t seem to think that’s a problem.
“I’m going to stick to what it’s been about — that early-30-type minute, late 20s,” Scott said at Lakers practice Thursday, via ESPN. “Just kind of depending on the situation. But I’m happy where his minutes are right now.”
