Barkley hopes '15-'16 is Kobe's final season: 'Old people don't get healthy; they die'
Outspoken NBA legend Charles Barkley doesn't want to see Kobe Bryant play beyond next season.
The 11-time All-Star voiced his opinion Friday in an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio on the ongoing speculation surrounding the final stage of Bryant's illustrious career.
"I hope he retires," Barkley said. "I probably played two years too long. I hate to see Patrick Ewing, great as he was, struggle - I don't like seeing great players just out there, you know?"
Barkley, referencing other former NBA greats who refused to call it quits during the twilight of their careers, feels that the "Black Mamba" should use next season as a farewell tour.
"Kobe's obviously not going to walk away from $30 million," Barkley added. "The Lakers aren't going to make the playoffs. Could he play some more? Yeah, of course. His best days are behind him."
If the "Chuckster" had it his way, Bryant would play 20 to 25 minutes per game next season - enabling the development of the Los Angeles Lakers' younger prospects, while gracing each opponent's arena with his presence one last time.
To those who believe Bryant can mirror his prime, Barkley has a very clear message:
I hear these fools on TV, talking about, "Kobe's going to get healthy." Old people don't get healthy; they die. Father Time is undefeated. … You can get in great shape during the summer, because you're playing against air. Air doesn't hit back. When you run out there and see Russell Westbrook and Steph Curry, they hit back.
To his credit, Barkley is not wrong. His argument, although humorously pragmatic and matter-of-fact, have been proven true on countless occasions by a multitude of fading NBA stars.
It may be difficult for Lakers fans, let alone Bryant himself, to accept the finality of what has been an incredible two decades, however, the former No. 13 pick in the 1996 draft will undoubtedly go down as one of the best players to ever don purple and gold.
Should the Lakers fail to make the 2016 playoffs, their final game of the regular season - an April 13 matchup versus the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center - would serve as a backdrop for a potential send-off.
Even if Bryant decides that next season will be his last in the Association, there remains the possibility that he goes the Larry Bird route - using an Olympic appearance as his official goodbye party.