Hmm, it certainly wasn't James who said that.
Considering his struggles over the years, the media mostly took his words as a joke now.
The "Chosen One," who had played in the League for 12 years and whose "court" had moved three times in the past five years, had become something of a laughingstock as the "nomadic king."
That statement came from Kobe.
Kobe said in front of everyone,
"This will be my last season in the NBA."
As soon as these words were out, the whole venue erupted into chaos.
Reporters knew Kobe was nearing retirement age, but this decision was just too abrupt!
Hansen was also surprised when he ended the interview and saw the news on his phone alert.
He remembered that Kobe indeed had started his retirement tour this season.
But that was Kobe after the Achilles rupture, after the serious injury.
