Is It Time For Kobe Bryant to retire?

Article by: Christine O'Connor

Twitter: @christineeeeO

Image Credit: espn.com

Kobe Bryant is injured... again.

The Los Angeles Lakers expect star Kobe Bryant to miss the remainder of the season with a torn rotator cuff. 

Father Time is catching up to Kobe. This game one that has spanned 19 spectacular seasons and made for a one-of-a-kind career may be over.

Bryant, who was voted in as a Western Conference All-Star starter on Thursday night for a record 17th consecutive year, has played 35 games with the Lakers this season, averaging 22.3 points on a career-low 37.3 percent shooting.

Bryant averaged a team-high 35.4 minutes during the Lakers' first 27 games, and Scott again questioned whether playing Bryant too many minutes earlier this season led to the shoulder injury.

Bryant suffered the tear during the second half of Wednesday night's loss to New Orleans, though sources said he has been dealing with the injury since the preseason.

Bryant, who has one year remaining on his contract with the Lakers for $25 million, apparently aggravated the injury in the third quarter against the Pelicans when he drove baseline for a two-handed dunk.

The injury comes after Bryant missed almost all of last season because of a torn Achilles' tendon.

To most people, it appears Bryant's body is breaking down after a lengthy career. A sure Hall of Famer, Bryant is not the player he once was, and this latest injury has left many with the same question: Is it time for him to retire?