re: Kobe Bryant retiring at end of season

Never particularly liked his game, but I've learned to very much respect his hustle.

That is one queer little poem.

Not gonna lie, I'd rather see Kobe play like dogshit for five more seasons than not see him play at all. The last time he was truly healthy for a season (2013 season), he averaged 27/6/6 on 46% shooting and started all 78 games. That Achilles tear (in game 78) was the beginning of the end. If not for that injury, he's still averaging well over 20ppg. I thought he could rally back this season and put up around 20ish points a game on 40% or so, but he can't even do that. Dude just doesn't have his legs under him anymore

The Lakers need to move away from the Kobe era, though. Free up a lot of money, let the young guys develop and move forward. I will not be surprised to see Kobe take a year off, workout nonstop, and try to make a comeback. It's hard to let the game go when you've been training and competiting to play it at a high level since you were 17.

About 5 years too late.

He averaged 27/6/6 on 46% shooting and played 78/78 games until he ruptured his achilles before the 2013 playoffs. Don't make me rally the troops (paging unknownknight) to baptize you frick bois by fire

quote:

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KG is now the last one left of my childhood.
Tim Duncan's gonna play forever

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Vince Carter is going to try to

OP could have at least posted a link to the full Player's Tribune article: LINK

quote:

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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

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quote:

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GOAT

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Greatest
egO of
All
Time

FIFY

Kobe Bryant reminds me a lot of Isiah Thomas in the fact that I hated both of them for the majority of there careers. Sadly on my part I didn't appreciate the greatness of the two until they limped into the twilight. Kobe is a top 20 player of all time and his HOF speech will be an all timer as well.