LA Laker Roster News 2015: Is This Kobe Bryant's Final Season?
Last year's Lakers team was not expected to make it to the playoffs, still, fans hoped that the team would perform well and may actually get a shot at the post-season.
Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan: Steve Nash got injured again, leading to his retirement, Jeremy Lin struggled in his return to the starting lineup, especially with Kobe Bryant getting more touches on offense, and then the Black Mamba himself got injured.
As Lakers fans approach this season, they are dreadful that this could be Bryant's final season in the NBA. A report a few weeks ago stated that Bryant personally talked to team general manager Mitch Kupchak and told him that this would be his final season.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
While there are still chances that Bryant would change his mind, the pressure is not only on him, but on all Lakers players. The pressure to do better this season is very high, especially that Los Angeles is coming off the worst stretch in its entire NBA history. When L.A. failed to enter the playoffs in 2014, everyone thought it was just bad luck.
However, when the 2014-15 season began, the Lakers' lineup was depleted due to trades and free agent acquisitions. The Lakers' supposed big fish back then, Carmelo Anthony, decided to return to New York in a max contract.
So now that this could be Bryant's final season, he would surely go all out, just like what he has been doing every time he is on the court. The problem now is whether he will have support or not.
Fortunately, budding star Jordan Clarkson could be a spark plug for Los Angeles. Nick Young can also be streaky and exceptionally good whenever Bryant is not around.
While the twos and threes are going to be important for Lakers, it is the team's front line that has earned enough boost. The team has veterans Carlos Boozer and Brandon Bass, and a towering defensive anchor in Roy Hibbert.
