Former NBA guard Lou Williams opened up about the emotional and physical toll of Kobe Bryant’s final NBA season, offering a rare glimpse into the mindset of the Lakers legend as he approached the end of his storied career.
Williams, who played alongside Bryant during the 2015–16 season, described how Kobe entered training camp with his trademark intensity.
“Two-four started that season as Kobe Bryant,” Williams said, referring to Bryant’s jersey number. “Training camp, he was pushing everybody. He was getting his body ready, he was getting his mind ready. He was making sure we all were on the same page.”
It was classic Kobe—driven, focused, and determined to lead by example. But as Williams recalled, the fire in Bryant’s eyes soon met the reality of a body that had endured two decades of NBA wear and tear.
According to Williams, the shift came just nine or ten games into the season.
“His body started breaking down,” he said. “And he came to the realization that this was the end.”
From that point on, Bryant’s demeanor changed. He became more relaxed, more reflective, and more at peace with the idea that his time on the court was winding down.
“He became a lot more lighthearted. He became more easygoing,” Williams added. “And I knew at that point he had kinda took his foot off the gas, like he knew his body wasn’t gonna hold up to the standard that he had set for himself.”
Despite the physical limitations, Bryant gave fans one last unforgettable moment: a 60-point performance in his final game against the Utah Jazz. It was a fitting farewell for a player whose career was defined by relentless work ethic and competitive fire.
