US President Obama hopes to own an NBA team some day, Kobe Bryant nearly admits retirement

President for 8 years, baller for life

Basketball and President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, share a long and beloved history. Not too many of us are aware that Obama has been a true-hearted basketball fan since he was a teenager, even playing for his school and college teams. He even parlayed his love for the game into a successful aspect of his campaign strategy when running for President.

With just about a year remaining in his term in the White House, Obama has started contemplating how to keep busy after next year’s elections. Speaking to the Huffington Post, the most powerful man in the world said that he would “absolutely” want to be a partial owner of an NBA team, though we don’t think that being the sole owner would be a travesty.

The erstwhile Senator from Chicago opened up about his NBA aspirations in an interview with Bill Simmons for GQ magazine:

Simmons: Would you ever want to be part of the ownership for an NBA team?Obama: Absolutely.

Simmons: Would it have to be the Bulls, or would it have to be somebody else?Obama: Well, you know, I know [Jerry] Reinsdorf pretty good—he’s not giving that thing up anytime soon. But I have fantasized about being able to put together a team and how much fun that would be. I think it’d be terrific.

Given his nonchalant demeanour, it is tough to figure out if he’s kidding or serious. But if it materialises, we have a feeling there’ll be a lot of “#coolestpresidentever” all over social media.

END OF THE ROAD FOR KOBE?

At the end of my wits!

The ‘retirement’ cloud has been hanging forebodingly over Kobe Bryant since the off-season. Plagued by injuries and the toll of time, it is evident that the five-time champion’s mental state is a far cry from his heyday. But the Black Mamba has no reason to be ashamed if he decided to walk away today.

What is irksome is that the team he has spent his entire career with is sinking deeper and deeper into a seemingly bottomless pit. Frustrated with the Lakers’ stagnation this season, underperforming teammates and Byron Scott’s baffling coaching, Kobe reportedly said, “If something doesn't change, this is it for me”, according to Yahoo Sports.

Sports journalist Frank Isola confirmed it via Twitter:

Kobe told Coach K on SiriusXM that "if something changes 'll come back and play next season. If something doesn't change this is it for me."

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) November 19, 2015