Los Angeles Lakers: Should Kobe Bryant Be Given A Team USA Roster Spot?

Los Angeles Lakers: Should Kobe Bryant be given a Team USA Olympic roster spot in 2016, even though his play probably wouldn’t warrant one?

It’s amazing. And quite funny.

Two weeks ago, before Kobe Bryant officially made his decision to retire after this season, he was being ripped for having zero self-awareness, for taking too many shots and not playing through D’Angelo Russell, or even Jordan Clarkson.

Now, after his letter in the Players’ Tribune, all that has changed. Kobe is being celebrated – and probably deservedly so – and can do no wrong. Those criticism pieces? Gone. Accountability? Non-existant. He can shoot 27 times and only score 21 points, but that’s OK because it’s his last season, right?

But that’s fine. It’s the Los Angeles Lakers, and it’s not like they’re fighting for a playoff spot or something. LA is 3-15 and fighting for Ben Simmons, if anything, so playing Kobe, as bad as he’s been this season, would actually help their cause.

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Nevertheless, there’s a bigger issue at hand. Should Team USA feel obligated to gift Kobe Bryant an Olympic roster spot in 2016?

According to a Team USA Basketball representative, who spoke with TMZ Sports, they aren’t closing the door on that possibility. Whether that’s fair or not.

"[via TMZ Sports, H/T CBS Sports]TMZ Sports spoke with Team USA rep Craig Miller who tell us … Kobe is definitely being considered for the ’16 roster.“Kobe is one of 34 players in the U.S. Men’s National team pool. The 12 players who will play for Team USA are selected from that pool.”Miller says the final decision will come down to Kobe’s health and the overall composition of the team … but it seems Bryant’s got a pretty good shot.“Kobe’s been involved with the national team since 2007. It’s not like he has to prove himself.”Miller stressed that they’re not necessarily looking for the 12 best individual players — but the best 12 players who would make the best overall team … and clearly, they feel Bryant’s experience could be very valuable."

Question is, does he deserve to be hand given a spot on Team USA?

There’s no question that he’s a hall of famer. He’s one of the 15 best players to ever play in the NBA. He might be the greatest member of the Los Angeles Lakers ever. He was the Michael Jordan for my generation.

But does that mean he should be given a free spot on the Olympic roster, which he doesn’t deserve? That’s where it gets tough.

There’s no question that the story would be great. Kobe going out with a Gold Medal in the Olympics? Who wouldn’t want to see that? That’s fairy tale, almost.

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But just because it sounds amazing doesn’t mean it has to be that way. There are few happy endings in sports, especially when it comes to retirement.

Kobe Bryant has done amazing things for the sport and the Los Angeles Lakers. But has said in the past that he doesn’t want a farewell tour or charity as his NBA career comes to a close.

He should not be on the Team USA 2016 roster. If he wants to be on as a coach, fine. Not as a player.