It's now or never for Kobe and the Lakers

One of man's greatest, most consistent pursuits is the effort to stop the hands of time. We, in America alone, spend one billion dollars a year on wrinkle creams. That is a BILLION dollars. On just one product aimed at pretending we do not get older. But we all do. Always. Even freakish, once-in-a-generation athletes with access to every possible health advantage and seemingly infinite amounts of money to spend on treatments and time-slowing procedures have to face facts. The miles logged on the court, the landings after dunks, the crashing into larger bodies and unforgiving hardwood all add up for Kobe Bryant. Speaking with CBSSports.com in a quiet moment after practice, Bryant conceded that, in all likelihood, the finish line and the conclusion of his current contract will be one in the same. Bryant has two years left, and though he was careful to point out, "One can never be too sure," he made it clear in the next breath it's almost unfathomable he wou...