One of the world's greatest athletes has finally decided to put an end to his career. The legendary 37 year-old Kobe Bryant has officially announced his retirement; a day Kobe fans and the sports world dreadingly saw coming. In Spring 2016, Kobe Bryant will have completed his 20th year in the NBA with a team he's played for since coming straight out of high school. His letter, "Dear Basketball" announcing his retirement was published Sunday evening (Nov. 30th) in the 'The Players Tribune' as the LA Lakers took on the Indiana Pacers.
It took no time for the news to immediately spread and fans expressing their reactions to the news. Kobe Bryant also known as "The Black Mamba," is truly one that is irreplaceable. Having one of the best scoring records in the history of basketball, 5 championship titles, Olympic gold medals, huge endorsement deals, MVP titles, a short lived rap career and much more, it's needless to say Bryant has had a pretty incredible run. Despite being compared to Michael Jordan most of his career, Kobe without a question has always been in the conversation as one of the best players of all time with his own legacy.
The Staples Center announced ticket sales to Lakers games immediately spiked following Bryant's announcement Sunday. Ticket sales to the Laker games have also increased due to the high demand. According to Forbes, Bryant will have made the NBA over $680million by his retirement. Although the past few years have been tough for Kobe Bryant with injuries, his professional reputation has kept a strong fanbase around the country, especially in Los Angeles. He symbolizes one of the best eras in basketball, the 90s and stands as one the last active players from that era. Long live Kobe!
Read his dedication letter to basketball below.
Dear Basketball,
From the moment
I started rolling my dad’s tube socks
And shooting imaginary
Game-winning shots
In the Great Western Forum
I knew one thing was real:
I fell in love with you.
A love so deep I gave you my all —
From my mind & body
To my spirit & soul.
As a six-year-old boy
Deeply in love with you
I never saw the end of the tunnel.
I only saw myself
Running out of one.
And so I ran.
I ran up and down every court
After every loose ball for you.
You asked for my hustle
I gave you my heart
Because it came with so much more.
I played through the sweat and hurt
Not because challenge called me
But because YOU called me.
I did everything for YOU
Because that’s what you do
When someone makes you feel as
Alive as you’ve made me feel.
You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream
And I’ll always love you for it.
But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer.
This season is all I have left to give.
My heart can take the pounding
My mind can handle the grind
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.
And that’s OK.
I’m ready to let you go.
I want you to know now
So we both can savor every moment we have left together.
The good and the bad.
We have given each other
All that we have.
And we both know, no matter what I do next
I’ll always be that kid
With the rolled up socks
Garbage can in the corner
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1
Love you always,
Kobe
CONVERSATION