Kobe Bryant has been out of basketball for a while and as he said in his ESPN Sunday Conversation, “there’s only so many modern family episodes a person can watch,” which led him to getting involved with the business sector of sports. His first move involved investing in a new sports drink, Body Armor. Kobe understands the influence he has in the sports world and that’s why he chose this product as he explained in the Sunday Conversation he wants to be part of something he can inspire and that he knows about.
Kobe has become self-aware since the injury. He understands he is no longer invincible. You can see it in Kobe’s actions that he wants to have that business world influence that will make him money down the line after he’s done with basketball. Since the injury he’s become more involved in social media including Twitter and Instagram (where he recently went to promote his new sports drink investment). He’s been stopping by Universities sitting in marketing classes, plus he’s been talking to a lot of successful businessmen.
Another sign that Kobe has changed is that he supports Steve Nash’s decision to return next year for the money he is owed by the Lakers. Nash has done little to nothing to improve the Lakers these past two seasons yet Kobe is okay with him returning to take up that $9.7 million dollars in the salary cap which could be used to help improve the team. Kobe from a few years ago would have demanded management find a way to get rid of Nash and find someone viable to replace him. Although current Kobe does no such thing because he knows when he returns his body may not be the same and he may be sitting next to Nash in a suit during the season.
The end of the Kobe Bryant legacy on the basketball court may already be here and Kobe knows it more than any of us. Although he may say he wants to win now, his actions don’t support it. Taking on that huge contract for the next two years plus supporting Steve Nash’s return next season gives the Lakers little money to work with. Kobe Bryant, Lakers management, and Laker fans may be hopeful for a quick turn around next season but it just doesn’t seem likely. With all that said Kobe has continuously surprised the world with what he’s capable of doing and who is to say Kobe can’t dominate on the court and in the free market.