IN David Remnick’s The September Song of Mr October, his 1987 masterpiece on baseballer Reggie Jackson, the future New Yorker editor writes of the late-career struggles of the man who once famously hit three consecutive pitches for World Series home runs.
“His swing still had the old ferocious look. But something was wrong. The eyes, the concentration, the reflexes, something. Jackson was not past heroics – he could still send the ball screaming into the outer dark – but he was past the expectation of heroics. His home runs now had the quality only of nostalgia and accident.”
It was both an homage and a gentle salvo that time waits for no-one and even less so for a professional athlete, where even the faintest slip leads to the ever-louder drumbeat from the sidelines that it might be time for last drinks to be called.
Almost three decades since that story was written and the same – sadly – can now be said about Kobe Bean Bryant.
The Los Angeles Lakers guard, in the sunset of a remarkable, polarising 20-season career, will provide the occasional glimpse, a final, fleeting look at the kind of play we all took for granted over the course of five championships, a Most Valuable Player award and countless highlights.
That there is still an echo of that expectation of heroics speaks much to the esteem Bryant is largely held in, even allowing for his, ahem, poetic announcement last week that this would be his final NBA season.
And much like Jackson, who once famously claimed he was the ‘straw that stirs the drink’ of the New York Yankees, Bryant still has the cocksure swagger that he can still get the job done. There can be no other way.
But make no mistake, the numbers are brutal, matching – and then some – what our eyes are almost disbelievingly telling us.
In 16 games, the 37-year-old is shooting just 37 per cent from inside the arc and has missed a staggering 99 of the 127 shots he has taken from international waters.
Never an efficient scorer, even at his offensive apex, Bryant has entered unfamiliar and decidedly unfriendly territory; the Lakers are more than 11 points worse per 100 possessions when he’s on-court.
It is a drop-off of almost unprecedented steepness, even allowing for the past three injury-ravaged years.
And yet and yet.
There will still be the occasional flashes, witness his vintage 31-point performance on the road against Washington this week.
But these are the welcome exception to the rule now, intermittent sightings of his former greatness.
If anything, it is the long stretches of offensive futility that humanise Bryant, marking his decline with a series of blood-red shot charts that resemble the foyer of the Overlook Hotel once the elevator doors open.
The easy comparison for this late chapter of Bryant’s career is Washington-era Michael Jordan, who looked exceedingly mortal for long stretches of his two-season comeback, and was no less hindered by injuries – in particular a chronic knee tendinitis that eventually became a torn cartilage that ended his first year back – that were as much due to the ravages of age as anything else.
And while Jordan was more efficient (and accurate), if there’s one thing that does look very similar, it’s the struggle that both players have faced in gaining some much-needed separation from their defender, just to get a shot off.
For players who for years found scoring as natural as breathing, it must indeed be a chastening experience. For what was originally just a minor breach of their armour to now be a yawning chasm that requires all their effort to contain.
Embattled Lakers coach Byron Scott says Bryant can shoot as many times as he likes, which, if Scott was being realistic, amounts to camouflaged tanking.
Not only does it mean a majority of Lakers games will end in defeat, it also inhibits the development of talented young players like Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and rookie guard D’Angelo Russell.
To those, including Scott, who would say that Bryant has earned that right, it smacks of putting the cart before the horse, that a franchise is willing to put an entire season ahead of what is best for the team over the long run.
That, or the powers-that-be have decided the best way to keep their top-three protected lottery pick is to give the Kobe fans (distinctly different from Lakers fans, remember) what they want and potentially give themselves a shot at Ben Simmons next June.
And then of course, one wonders, what will Bryant do in retirement?
You can certainly rule out the Magic Johnson-style business career, Bryant saying over the weekend, “We don’t have the same personality. I can’t go around talking and smiling at people all day.” No surprises there then.
Surely there’s a post-NBA playing career in either China or Europe, especially the former, where his popularity borders on the hagiographic.
And then, Bryant once famously said earlier this year, “friends come and go, banners are forever.”
It speaks of an utter commitment to winning above all else, an ethos few could ever match.
So what happens when his very raison d’etre has come to an end?
Even in the twilight he remains an utterly fascinating player and person.
Regardless, Bryant appears to have realised this season will be for him, the lesson learned by all, even the greats, the final humbling tutorial that no-one has immunity from.
Tempo padre rimane imbattuto – Father Time stays undefeated.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Yeah, I follow 'Bob' already. I have to say, I find him juuuuuuuuust a little bit too negative. He seems to always be ragging on someone pretty intensely!
offpitch
Roar Rookie
I'll have a look at that article now. If you don't already, follow a guy by the name of Haralabos Voulgaris, he is one of America's better known punters, specifically on basketball. But he also comments from an analytical perspective, his knowledge and opinion are educated. I think we'll all find agreement in some of his sentiments, especially in regards to Scott haha.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I wrote a month ago that he should be fired, and every day since has only reinforced that opinion. To say the least. http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/11/05/lakers-must-fire-byron-scott-now/
offpitch
Roar Rookie
Philly just announced the hiring of Jerry Colangelo as Chairman of Basketball operations, this morning our time. I think that puts the end to the silliness Sam Hinkie has been allowed to get away with. Hinkie should still get a chance to prove himself under Jerry, but his string, especially to do trades such as this, and repeatedly tanking for draft picks, will be much, much shorter. And yes, I agree, I see no long term benefit for the 76ers doing something like this, even if the opinion exists, within the organisation, that Noel and Okafor can not coexist.
offpitch
Roar Rookie
Ha, it was, and agreed. I think analysing him as a no.2 draft pick puts greater expectations on him, when maybe we shouldn't. And Byron Scott's coaching, well that is an article, nay a book, in itself.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
I have no idea why Philly would make that trade, if I'm honest. Unless they want to tank for another two seasons.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
If your comment was mere hyperbole for effect, then that's fine. I've been guilty of committing a #hyperbolealeart on many occasions. Though Russell possibly hasn't lived up the expectations of a number 2 draft pick as yet, I think Byron Scott's handling of his career so far has a large part to play with that. But I also think he's shown more than enough ability and potential to not warrant a comment that he has 'no talent' on offence. His passing and vision alone have been pretty darn impressive, and he's got a pretty good handle. He needs to work on his stroke, and finishing at the rim, but overall - as a Laker fan - I'm more than happy with what he's shown at that end of the floor (for now). His D on the other hand, needs a lot of work. But he's hardly the first rookie point guard to struggle in that department.
offpitch
Roar Rookie
Definitely not having a dig either Ryan, I've watched 8-10 Lakers games the whole way through this year and just haven't seen enough from D'Angelo to bank on a long term future with him, so am open to hearing someone else's opinion on the topic. The Okafor/Russell- Philly/La trade rumour have gained momentum and as a young guard, one who has been moved to the bench as of today's Raptors game, that is never good for your psyche either.
offpitch
Roar Rookie
I too can pull one statement from a comment for emphasis. Slight exaggeration on my behalf for effect? Of course. But give me a little more than 'Really?!' Ryan. As a self confessed Lakers fan, you'd have them amongst your League Pass favourites, so enlighten me? I watched a few games of his as a Buckeye last year, and even 2/3 of his games at Montverde, he has come a long way, but he still has many a ways to go, has he flashed ability this year? No doubt. But it remains to be seen whether he can put it together consistently. The greater issue at hand is Byron Scott's coaching ability, which is scrutinised daily, and still is under the spotlight enough.
Nate
Guest
I still laugh when I think about that story. I think that had more to do with his involvement rather than the location though.
pete bloor
Guest
And even they had to basically kidnap their starting centre to convince him to stay!
Nate
Guest
Agree with that Pete, I think this has been proven the last few seasons. If any team in LA is desirable these days it's the Clippers.
pete bloor
Guest
I’m also not sure why we assume LA is still the desirable destination for free agents. Media consumption has changed, neutering a lot of the advantage of proximity to Hollywood/big markets, and players now focus more on getting the right roster and front office fit.
pete bloor
Guest
I'd disagree that the guards are learning to facilitate given Kobe creates a lot of shots by himself, rather than within the offence, and he isn't a great example of what shots to take as he's always been a "difficult" shot maker (sorry used to be a "maker" of those shots now he's just a difficult shot taker). Then add that it's always hard to engage players on defence when they feel that liberties are being taken on offence.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
You honestly think Russell has shown "little to no talent on the offensive side"? Really?!
offpitch
Roar Rookie
One of the better articles I've read Steve, on the retirement news and legacy of Kobe, and one that doesn't mention his early, chequered, off court controversies, which i believe should be addressed separately. My question to you is, why does Kobe jacking up between 25-30 shots negatively affect or 'stunt' the development of guards like Clarkson and Russell? Or even at all in a forward like Randle? They all still learn to play the Lakers scheme on the defensive side of the ball, Randle still gets his rebounds, and the guards still improve their facilitating, albeit to one of the greatest to launch the leather. It also takes the publicity and press away from pick 2 Russell, who has shown little to no talent on the offensive side anyway, and all of those younger players, who as lottery picks on the most famous NBA franchise, would otherwise have the spotlight shined upon them as brightly as the Hollywood sign itself. If Kobe wasn't throwing up bricks, those shots would otherwise be distributed between players like the aforementioned, Nick Young, Louis Williams and Metta World Peace et al. In regards to 'putting the horse before the cart' you're right, if they hit a home run, and all this camouflaged tanking works out and they land the Great Aussie h̶y̶p̶e̶ hope, then this is all a distant memory, a Linsanity in NY blip in Laker's history. Should they not though, should they lose their protected pick, falling outside 3, they still have $28 million plus in cap money for the summer, when it goes up this year, and next, to attempt to lure free agents. With Kobe not in the locker room and being the tyrannical presence he imposes, and LA still being a desirable destination, is that that farfetched an idea also?
Nate
Guest
One of the games last week where he had a great first quarter and then stuffed it from there, he made comments along the lines of "I thought I was in 81 mode." Just shows how far he is detached from reality. I would be frustrated as a Laker fan due to the lack of opportunity to develop the younger guys. Kobe has always been a volume shooter but this is getting ridiculous.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Nice piece, Smithy. As a Laker fan, it's tough to watch Kobe descend into a mere mortal (hyperbole alert!), or even worse. The franchise is an embarrassment this season, and no amount of fleeting Kobe moments will change that. One can only hope they land Ben Simmons, then all is forgiven. In the meantime, you just kind of, have to (are forced to?) laugh at Kobe still jacking up shots, even though he keeps on missing. He's nothing if not stubborn, old Kobe.
Swampy
Guest
Time gets us all. I think the concept of what the Lakers are doing is very grand but practically it will kill them for years to come (unless they get Simmons - he's a game changer). Allowing your franchise superstar to see out his career on his terms at a single team just doesn't happen anymore. It's nice to see such loyalty - even if it is disguising a blatant tanking attempt. On the other hand Kobe might do enough damage to his legacy this season that it will forever stain the memory of him (he's had another horror show today at 2 for 15). Not unlike Tiger Woods or Muhammed Ali - it's almost sad to seem them go on. It wouldn't surprise me if Kobe went to China and played. And playing only once per week he might actually dominate. He's the type of guy that might play til he's 45 or more, body permitting.