Until the last second of the final game of his career, Kobe Bryant went all in with guns blazing. A fitting fairy tale end to his 20-year legendary career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, it was sealed with his 60-point effort, defeating the Utah Jazz.
With his name already etched among the stars in the NBA heavens, his legacy as one of the greatest is undoubtedly clear-cut.
Despite his absence, league history has a good track record of comebacks. From winning the Finals down three games to one, erasing 35-point leads, from being a Bull to a Wizard, the NBA has always room for a miracle.
A miracle may be in the form of going beyond greatness, Kobe Bryant can put his retirement on pause to form arguably the greatest duo in NBA history with LeBron James in Los Angeles. For men like Bryant and James who have experienced the pinnacle of greatness, being something greater than themselves would be justification enough for it to happen.
How would that alter his legacy? How can he contribute to a LeBron-led team?
Although seeing the Laker legend back in uniform would gladly be welcome, his Laker return on a LeBron-led team would overshadow his once alpha status. At this juncture, Bryant will never be the Black Mamba he once was.
Battered with injuries and on a steep decline, there is nothing much left for him to do than join a team that is built around him. At best, he would be an attraction, like preserving a relic of the past. Regardless, playing him on decent playing time might yield an occasional string of points.
In relation, the league will see an opportunistic ring-chasing Bryant or a last-ditch effort to try to catch the Ghost of Chicago. Some around the Association may laud him, most likely won’t.
Without blinking, bringing home a championship or not, this would clearly tank his legacy.
Kobe Bryant built his career legacy on being the unquestioned and undisputed alpha on a team. Despite the odds stacked on him, he would will himself out of a hole to just rub it in your face that he is a cut above the rest.
Out of that obnoxious superiority we loathed and doubted him, but at the same time the league loved him more for each time he proved that he was one of the greatest, and at a time the best player in the league.
It is clear that the league misses him. Ever since he retired two years ago, he left a void in the NBA. A void that clearly only he can fill, his personality, charm, exploits, and drama, there is nobody quite like him.
Though it would be a sight to see James and Bryant wearing the same uniform playing alongside each other, some things are just perfect the way they are.
Acknowledging his legend that empowered many, instead of looking back or looking for the next Jelly Bean Jr, we should thank him and look forward to the future of basketball.
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