Recently, the sporting world has been subjected to several examples of retirement announcements from two stars of World Sport. The gentlemen in question have taken different paths to the top of the World but have arrived at the same conclusion, so the question begs answering is retirement the Final Option?
For Kobe Bryant and Richie McCaw, it must have been one of the most demanding decisions they have faced in their careers; in their lives too. To ‘call it quits’ on two stellar tenures in their favored sports, but each has created a history in their sport that quarters in the Hall of Fame have more than likely being planned already.
Kobe Bryant will leave behind one of the NBA’s most impressive legacies after 20 years with the Lakers.
https://t.co/5sb3YuCIb8 — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 2, 2015
They have planned their conclusions differently too. With Bryant announcing just this week that he would officially stop playing at the seasons end, while McCaw took far longer to get to the last press conference to strike up the conversation some were pleased at, others wanting more from Captain Fantastic.
Wisely, he made the decision within a month of sealing the gloss on his illustrious story; claiming a second World Championship in October and creating a mark for the all time Test caps and most wins by a Test Captain [in any sport realistically] So is the retirement announcement the ‘final option?
Several stars too have called time on their careers–Mitchell Johnson with the Australian Cricket team (retired from International game effective immediately) and Foyd Mayweather Jnr ended his unbeaten boxing career holding ‘all the belts’. That is the traditional method, so when is Bryant called that press conference and announced to waiting media he planned to finish at the end of this season, in reality what more can you do after telling the media that you are ending it?
Today, it seems like you can.
Just like player movement, career change is often an intended statement early to see off suspicion, secure a contract although in Bryant’s case, he said he was finding it hard to fight the decision hanging over his position. So, will the younger men in the Lakers side find that the elder statesman is now a mentor rather than a competitor for a starting spot.
While for Richie, it clearly was a finality. “Thank you, and see you later” was his last soundbite as Captain of the all conquering All Blacks when he spoke at the Wellington NZ Rugby headquarters a fortnight ago. It was a difficult occasion, not only due to the subject; most had already assumed he would end his representative career, but Jonah Lomu had just passed away and due to McCaw being idolized.
His has been a clean-cut example for all. Never any accusations of poor conduct in his personal life. Clean cut to the end. A record breaker and when calling it, he put a complete full stop on playing rugby.
In one way, it appears that Richie picked the right moment to hang up the boots whereas Kobe must now seemingly play out another season in his beloved Lakers team, which is a tough ask while not performing anywhere near his peak.
My specialty is not American Sports. I enjoy the game, it has a great following across the globe and players like Bryant are super athletes that over the last 19 years, etched themselves on the games history. But will he have the same status when the season concludes in April. Even if he is the third most highest points scorer in the league, if he cannot reach the high standards that many recognize him for then will his legacy be affected?
Even rugby fans will appreciate the global reach of sports like Basketball. One cannot ignore the feats of Kobe Bryant too, and in glancing at his bio on the LA Lakers page, it reads like a sporting legacy only some people dream of.
Five time winning NBA player with the Lakers, two time MVP, 17 time All Star as well as winning Gold with the American DreamTeam on the Olympic stage.
There is not much more that any sportsman could achieve, respectfully at Bryant’s age. Born in 1978, the six foot guard has not had the same success since 2009, since entering his early thirties [McCaw is 34 years old] and with injury more often ending attempts to regain the former glory. In fact, Kiwi forward Steven Adams is now a real test for Bryant’s focus and at 37, that will be one difficult task.
Bryant’s team the Los Angeles Lakers are somewhat the equivalent of the Crusaders in NZ sports analogy. The Big Team in California who achieved so much, they too have not seen a championship for over five seasons and while Richie McCaw too has failed to attain Super Rugby Championships, he has evolved into the consummate rugby leader and peaked at the right moments. Bledisloe Cup tests, Rugby Championships and successive finals in the hardest International competition in his sport.
2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup winner, in his retirement speech McCaw said “when you’ve won the World Cup, there’s not much that can top that. I just thought it was the best time to take on new challenges”. You cannot argue with his logic, while many sports analysts have questioned the timing and sentiment of Kobe Bryant. Not all fair, but the fans who cried for him to ‘win one more title’ might now just end up crying as they countdown to the day Bryant leaves his sneakers in his locker.
But it is not all negative. Let us celebrate the career first, and in the case of Kobe, look forward to some highlights as he still could teach new stars like Steph Curry a few things (a limited few, but his experience is priceless). When challenged, guys like Richie McCaw stood tall, played on a broken-foot to claim the 2011 Rugby World Cup, so why cannot Kobe Bryant run out the 2015/2016 season with his head held high?
Can he? If I were honest, no. But sports writers, politicians and even sponsors will not influence the last games of Bryant’s’ 20th season of professional basketball. May he have a great testimonial year, he has been a great servant of the game. Both have been great and each now chooses different paths to sign-off. That is where the humble Kiwi possibly made the better judgement call.
Is ‘retirement the final option?’–yes, for the tough loose forward it was as he will now ride off calmly into his new frontier while Kobe must battle an ever younger opposition and a waiting media.
Thank you Richie, and all the best Kobe. You’ll need it.
