Rio Olympics 2016: Kobe Bryant To Play for USA Basketball in Brazil?
Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has one more wish before he can finally conclude his term in the NBA, and that is to play one more time for the Olympics.
In his interview with the Associated Press, Bryant expressed his eagerness to be part of the team that will represent the U.S. at the upcoming 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
He said, "It would mean the world to me to be around those guys." He also added that the bond that was created between the team will make the experience even more fun.
Bryant admits that while he may be in the direction of retirement, he hasn't made up his mind yet on what's it going to be after this season.
Kobe Bryant was one of the players to represent the U.S. in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as in the 2012 London games, where they took home the gold. Previously, Bryant passed on the chance to play for the country when he said that he would not be playing for Rio. However, things have changed since then.
In his interview, he said, "How I feel now is that I feel like I can add value from a leadership perspective and a defensive perspective. I can still move extremely well defensively."
SI pointed out that while Bryant haven't attended any of the minicamps for the 2016 Rio Olympics, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo still considers Bryant for the team, saying that "he is entitled to an opportunity with the team."
Bryant recently nipped rumors that he might be heading to another team if he decides not to retire yet. In a statement he gave reporters after their game against the Brooklyn Nets, he said, "How many times do I need to say it? I've said it so many times, I'm here, and I'm a Laker for life. I'm not playing anywhere else no matter what."
Bryant is in his final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. The contract gave him a final and staggering amount of $25 million. His salary cap has been the highest so far among the players in the NBA.
The Lakers are currently 1-5 in the Western ranking, where they beat the Brooklyn Nets but lost to the New York Knicks in their latest game. This season, however, gave Bryant a 32.1 percent from the field, averaging at least 16.2 percent points and 3.8 percent on rebounds per game.
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