Photo Credit: Danny Moloshok/Associated Press
There are certain athletes that become generational icons. For this generation, it is Kobe Bryant and recently Bryant announced that this would be his last season in the NBA. Bryant made his announcement via The Player’s Tribune in a poem titled “Dear Basketball“. In it he writes,
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.
He continues saying that it’s okay to move on and enjoy this one last ride together. He said after a game against the Pacers that he came to the decision some time ago and feels like “a weight has been lifted off his shoulder” since the announcement.
A five-time champion and NBA MVP, Bryant gave everything he could to the sport of basketball and we loved him for it. Recent injuries, however, have taken their toll on his body and he was no longer the same player. Bryant is the first to acknowledge that he can no longer keep up physically.
Since his announcement, he has enjoyed a retirement tour getting a round of applause during introductions. Recently when the Lakers played in Charlotte, he got a special video message for Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan. Jordan offered Bryant advice as his “big brother”, telling him to enjoy every moment that he can.
The NBA will definitely miss the competitive fire that Bryant brought to the court every game. You showed us that hard work and dedication pay off. You showed us that nothing can stand in your way if you don’t let it. Whether you loved him or hated him, you are going to miss him. Thank your the memories Kobe!
