Kobe Bryant is Retiring at the end of the season

[Wavy Q]

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/dear-basketball/

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

Website crashed.

[sniperelite]

Now I obviously knew this was coming, turns out though, I wasn't prepared for these emotions...

[eckoner]

yeah thats pretty damn touching Kobe!

[gts1]

Not unexpected, glad he's ready to embrace it and except the accolades that will come his way as he travels from arena to arena... He's given so much to the Lakers, us fans and all fans of Ball all across the world it' nice to see we'll/they'll all get a chance to embrace his last season and let him know how much he meant to the game and how much he's appreciated

A great like him should go out with as much fanfare as we can generate

Thanks Kobe for being ... Kobe

[Slava]

Right in the feels. April 13 vs Utah at Staples will be his last game unless we make the playoffs.

[miggs]

I will toast a nice bottle to his career as he's the Lakers player I sort of grew up watching, I was only 10 when Kobe entered the league and like any great person in history, kobe has his major flaws which played a part in reaching his epitome. He'll go down for sure as one of the greatest shooting guards in nba history, no doubt top 5. My dad saw Magic's entire career as well as Worthy's, from rook to retired, and for me this is my first great Laker I get to watch in such a timeline. It's been awesome having Kobe in purple and gold and for me personally an amazing tale of what work ethic can achieve.

For the young guys, I feel this is a MAJOR confidence booster, as I'm sure Kobe has spoken to them that this is their franchise to now guard until things change. For FAs, I'm sure this may make us more appealing. For season ticket holders, hopefully this means many don't pick up their option for next season so those on the waiting list, like me, maybe get a chance or at least move up.

[AceFresh]

This cemented my decision to go to a game b4 the season ends.
Just about 60+ games left. . surreal

[ArC_man]

I like how it's written as a poem.

[gom]

I love Kobe. What a player! What a gift for the Lakers!

[chefy12]

damn, straight to the feels

[Slava]

This cemented my decision to go to a game b4 the season ends.
Just about 60+ games left. . surreal

Me too, lower bowl tickets were about 250 for the game in Houston when I checked 3 days ago. Now they'll probably cost an arm and a leg.

[RJM]

Never thought this day would come. A part of me had this feeling like he would reclaim his health and play three more years, two of those years with the Lakers as a contender. I'm legit sad right now.

[ak7]

I feel like my wife of 20 years and I just decided to divorce.

[miggs]

we should ban together and go catch a game, i'm sure it'll be impossible to buy seats together but we can all at least meet out front of staples or something for a pic! I know i'll be trying to catch as many games as i can.

for a brief moment i considered taking the rest of the season to go to as many road and home games as possible by doing a road trip!!! it's just not rational...

[Spens1]

he's one of our best, of course he is

but it is time and it has been time for the last two years.

It is sad in a way, given that Kobe has given so much to the lakers, but i can't help but be optimistic about our future again and i am looking forward to seeing who steps up or who we bring in as a franchise player (KD perhaps?) i think it will help us in F.A with players knowing Kobe won't be there anymore (whether that is a good way of thinking or not)

[jwise44]

This cemented my decision to go to a game b4 the season ends.
Just about 60+ games left. . surreal

Me too, lower bowl tickets were about 250 for the game in Houston when I checked 3 days ago. Now they'll probably cost an arm and a leg.

First things first, Slav my dads company gets tix and if no one takes em he gives them to me sometimes 2 courtside sometimes 4 13 rows up...I don't care to see Kobe as much as you do, if I somehow get them because the lakers and rockets both suck and people my dad deal with are a bunch of redneck oil people I'll sell them to you for way less than they cost (you get free passes to the Lexus lounge and a suite too)...ill let you know as soon as I can

But, Secondly and more to the point...I have hated Kobe because he was a laker, but he was amazing and he was the best and most exciting player of an era and it will be sad to see him go.

[Teddyb]

my condolences to all Lakers fans....

[cashflo]

This hits home hard... I was critical of him and hoped this would happen but now that it has it's tough to take...
Time to celebrate and stop the hate!!

[Tee212]

lol ya right we miraculously make it to the playoffs and hes like hmmm maybe one more year. we all saw this coming...now we have to watch every kobe minute

[Mirjalovic]

Nooooooooooooooooooooo !!!!!

i know i wanted him to retire, but why the **** it's feel so **** sad when he actually decides to retire