There are a number of reasons why Kobe Bryant has not given any thought to making an NBA comeback since he retired in 2016, and the future Hall of Famer insists he is not envious that the Los Angeles Lakers appear poised to make a title run without him. In fact, he considers the talent on the current roster to be a deterrent.
In an appearance on the “Ledlow & Parker” podcast with Kristen Ledlow and Candace Parker this week, Kobe was asked if he would consider coming out of retirement if there were a 100 percent guarantee he would win his sixth NBA championship. He responded with an emphatic “no,” saying that he likes to win his rings “the hard way.”
Would @kobebryant return to the NBA if he were guaranteed a ring?
KOBE: No. No. No. No. I like my rings the hard way. I like to fight through them. I don’t like to jump into the easy route.”
(Via @KristenLedlow & @Candace_Parker Podcast) pic.twitter.com/VrTk5KoKCB
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 30, 2019
“I like fighting through them and earning them that way,” Bryant said. “I don’t like to, you know, jump into the easy route, so I wouldn’t take it.”
Kobe then said he feels picking either team in LA would be the “easy route” after the offseasons both the Lakers and Clippers had. Of course, critics will point to the fact that Kobe won three of his championships with Shaquille O’Neal, and some might consider that an easier route than the one other champions have had to take.
Either way, it’s no surprise would not want to join a superteam that has already been established. We heard similar remarks from Shaq not that long ago, and both players take pride in the fact that their championships were something they helped build rather than latched onto. LeBron probably doesn’t care what people say as long as he wins another ring.
