Kobe Bryant Stats: Kobe Out, Stephen Curry In? Nope, Lakers Star Isn't Retiring Just Yet, Says Source [Rumors]

One of the more popular topics these days is the issue on what Los Angeles Lakers star player Kobe Bryant plans once the season is up.

There are many who believe that Kobe is on his last season and will likely call it a day. He continues to struggle and his awful shooting in that humiliating loss to the Golden State Warriors, 111-77, is proof of that.

But then again, there are some who reason out that Kobe is still not his usual self since coming back from a rotator cuff injury he sustained earlier this year. That plus the fact that minor injuries have been cropping up are seen to be reasons why Kobe has not been able to recall his old fiery self.

And while many are hoping to catch perhaps a last glimpse of the Kobe of old, his age may not be cooperating to that degree. He is 37-years old and the healing process does become longer as people age.

So does this mean that Kobe is on the way to retirement?

A report from Hollywood Life somehow begs to differ, citing sources which say that Kobe plans to play beyond the 2015-16 NBA season.

“He has been mulling the retirement question for a while,” a source exclusively tells HollywoodLife.com, “but [his] intentions are to continue to play with the NBA.”

This, of course, remains a rumor until proven or unless Kobe says it himself but just the same, the revelation is certainly something that comes as a surprise.

And if that should happen, the next thing that comes into mind is where Kobe will continue playing. It is unlikely that the Lakers will offer him a lucrative deal after this season unless the Black Mamba stands pat on his earlier stand that money is not an issue for him to continue playing and exit on his own terms.

Kobe still believes he can do the same stuff he did several years back but the reality of it all is that he is no longer the top dog at least for the Western Conference.

Right now, all eyes are on Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors, someone who has been wowing the crowds which his feathery shooting touch while at the same time carrying a different persona.

Compared to Kobe, Curry is not the brash-talking type. He is quiet and lets his play do the talking for him. He does not engage in verbal jabs nor is seen as someone who would want to get up and take a swipe at opponents as singled out via the Mercury News.

Without question, Curry has gained the admiration and respect of his teammates and opponents which are far from the aggressive character Kobe has carried since he rose to fame.

Like it or not, Curry will at some point be the new assassin in the NBA Western Conference if not yet. However, Kobe seems to want to give it one last run before admitting that he is done.