Kobe Bryant will vacillate often, surely, but the question will always be in the background: Is this his final season or will he return to the Lakers for one more year?
As of Saturday, this is it.
"If you ask me today, I'd say this would be my last year," Bryant said. "But you never know. You keep it open. Whatever happens, happens."
Bryant has been shooting poorly — 32.1% overall, 21.1% from three-point range — and the Lakers have pretty much matched it with a 1-4 start.
It seems obvious he won't come back if he keeps playing so far below his standards, though he seemed relaxed and jovial after Saturday's practice.