Kobe Bryant Retirement Means New Era In Store

Nov 29, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (left) talks to his family in the stands including wife Vanessa Bryant in the second half of a basketball game against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Kobe Bryant is ready to ship out — now the Lakers must brace for the consequences.

 Kobe Bryant‘s retirement announcement was on Sunday prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers, saying that the 2015-16 NBA season will be his last.

The Lakers may have lost to the Pacers, but Kobe gave us a glimpse of the player he once was, hitting an unbelievable three to bring the game to within two.

After 20 years in the league, Bryant will begin a new chapter of his life. A life without wearing a Lakers uniform for a living.

Lakers management now knows that in eight months, their most crucial off-season will begin. The team has already started to prepare for the post-Kobe era by drafting Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and D’Angelo Russell. But their mission will now be to find the next Lakers superstar.

Kobe’s final season now raises a lot of question, three of which I will answer now:

Next: No. 1