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Kobe Bryant's post-basketball life? Back in the gym for starters

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant pledged to be back in the gym and back at work on Thursday morning as the new chapter of his life gets underway.

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant pledged to be back in the gym and back at work on Thursday morning as the new chapter of his life gets underway.

In his final press conference as an NBA player, Bryant followed the spectacular 60-point performance that propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in his last game with a telling insight into what comes next.

"I have to," Bryant said, when asked if his intended plans to both work out and put in a shift at the offices of his fledgling media company would be adhered to.

Having seen past teammates and rivals struggle with the transition from the hardwood to retirement, the 37-year-old insisted he would fill his post-basketball days with worthwhile endeavors.

"That’s a very slippery slope," he said. "I have done my research with players, and it is kind of like, 'Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.' Then all of a sudden it is like, 'Uh oh.'

"So I think the important thing is get into a routine to maintain discipline, to find a new routine. I have been in a certain routine my entire career."

Bryant will go down in NBA history as not only one of the sport’s best players but also one of its hardest working. His primary focus moving forward will be on spending time with his family and bringing success to Kobe Inc., his company based in lavish offices in Newport Beach, Calif.

"I think the worst thing I could do would be to not have (structure)," Bryant said. "Because then I think you wake up without a sense of purpose or a sense of direction. So I have to find a new routine and get to it and be comfortable."

The next chapter of Bryant’s life is likely to include documentary filmmaking, and he has regularly spoken of his passion for "storytelling."

The way he signed off, with the Lakers coming from behind to sink the Utah Jazz 101-96, was a fine tale in itself.

Follow Martin Rogers @mrogersUSAT.

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