Kobe Bryant Covers SLAM 175

Kobe Bryant SLAM Magazine Cover

So, as you can see above, Lakers great Kobe Bryant, shot by the great Atiba Jefferson, is on the cover of SLAM 175. Might seem like strange timing—Kobe recently fractured a bone in his left knee, an injury that’ll sideline him for about six weeks—but we think the cover’s message is perfect. The 35-year-old has played 45,567 minutes of professional basketball during his 18-season career, and let’s face it: The amount of gas remaining in his tank is currently in doubt. But the five-time champ just signed a massive two-year contract extension, so while time may not be on his side, he’s not going anywhere just yet.

We’ll have more details regarding what’s inside the issue once it hits newsstands next week. Happy holidays, SLAM Fam!