Kobe Bryant: Predicting His Stats with the LA Lakers for the Next 5 Seasons

It’s hard to believe Kobe Bryant just completed his 15th NBA season. While Kobe still has a few quality years left in the tank, he is starting to enter the twilight of his career.

It is surreal imagining Kobe not being able to perform at the level fans have become accustomed to throughout his career. But that time is slowly but surely on its way. After all, Father Time is undefeated.

So, assuming Kobe plays another five seasons, what will his statistics look like over that time period?

Let’s take a look.

5. 2011-2012: The Last Season of the Kobe Bryant We Know and Love

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 6: Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant demonstrates a Lakers-based game by K2 Sports at the Sony Playstation media briefing on the eve of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) on June 6, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. More than

No one should expect Kobe Bryant’s overall statistics to dip very much next season. For the first time in three seasons, Kobe didn’t play in the last game of the NBA season.

The extra rest should help him going forward. Also, he will have something to prove after the Los Angeles Lakers' disappointing showing in the playoffs. 

Projected Statistics: 24 points, 33 minutes, five rebounds and four assists.

4. 2012-2013: Kobe Bryant Starts Occasionally Sitting Out Games

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as the 2009-2010 Championship Banner is unveiled during a ceremony prior to their opening night game against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on October 26, 2010 in Los A

This will be the season when Kobe Bryant’s statistics will start to decline, after another deep playoff run in 2011-12.

We may start seeing Kobe sit out a game every now and then to preserve some mileage for the postseason.

Projected Statistics: 21.5 points, 31 minutes, four rebounds and four assists.

3. 2013-2014: Kobe Bryant and the "R" Word

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 29: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball over Emeka Okafor #50 of the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Lakers defeated the Hornets 103-88.

At this point, depending on the personnel moves the Los Angeles Lakers make the next couple of seasons, Kobe Bryant may not be the best player on the team anymore.

This is the season when people will start mentioning Kobe Bryant and retirement in the same sentence.

Projected Statistics: 17 points, 29 minutes, three rebounds, four assists.

2. 2014-2015: Kobe Bryant: Really Good Role Player

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers signals for the ball under pressure from Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics at Staples Center on December 25, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Celtics 92-8

The mileage and nagging injuries on Kobe Bryant’s body will become more evident.

While he will still show an occasional flash of brilliance, Kobe will more or less be a valuable role player for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Projected Statistics: 14 points, 25 minutes, two rebounds, three assists.

1. 2015-2016: Kobe Bryant's Swan Song

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball upcourt on the fastbreak against the Miami Heat during the NBA game at Staples Center on December 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Heat defeated the Lakers

The 2015-16 season will be the last of Kobe Bryant’s career. Bryant will sidestep the situation throughout the season, but after the Los Angeles Lakers are eliminated in the postseason, he will announce his retirement.

Projected Statistics: 10 points, 21 minutes, two assists and two rebounds.