Is this Kobe Bryant's last season? Phil Jackson doesn't think so
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant dunks during the first half of an NBA game against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP / Mark J. Terrill
Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher aren't buying all the talk that this might be Kobe Bryant's last NBA season.
"I don't think it's his last year," Jackson said. "It sounds like it may be his last year as a Laker, but I don't know the answer to that, either."
Jackson was the coach of Bryant's five championship teams with the Lakers and Fisher was his backcourt mate.
"He's had what, two seasons that have been aborted because of injuries," Jackson said. "I think he's going to be really better than people think, and I think there will still be a future for him as he goes through this season into next year, where people are going to ask, 'Do you still want to play basketball?' So we'll see."
Fisher shook his head and said no when he was asked if Bryant will retire after this season.
"I just want him to be healthy, basically, and then go from there," Fisher said. "I, personally, wouldn't like this to be his last year playing basketball. I don't think the game of basketball deserves for him not to play."
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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