Kobe says he has seamlessly transitioned into retirement, doesn't miss playing
Kobe Bryant is loving retirement
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1 min read
When Kobe Bryant announced that he would retire, it was hard to imagine the Lakers superstar relaxing idyllically. Bryant was after all, notoriously one of the most competitive players to ever play in the league.
But surprisingly, Bryant is enjoying retirement and doesn't miss the competitiveness or the daily grind of the NBA.
Kobe Bryant admitted to watching a few games during the first week of the NBA season. But playing again? Not a chance. He doesn't miss it.
"Not even a little bit," Bryant said Tuesday morning at the launch of his latest signature Nike shoe, the "Kobe A.D."
"It's strange to think a couple years ago, to be in this emotional space would be unfathomable. But I mean not even a smidge, which I'm very thankful for, because it's made my transition seamless and I can really just watch and just enjoy the games."
Bryant has many non-basketball pursuits through his multi-faceted business venture Kobe Inc., so he is likely keeping busy in retirement. Yet it is kind of shocking to hear Bryant say he doesn't miss the NBA, even when he is watching games.
But after playing in the NBA for 20 seasons, Bryant does sound like he is enjoying his time away from the game. Which is understandable, since at 38 years old, Bryant spent close to half his life playing in the NBA. So any type of break after being on the job for that long must be quite rewarding for the future Hall of Famer.
