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After 20 seasons spent with the Los Angeles Lakers, five NBA championships, two Olympic gold medals and over 32,000 points (3rd all-time), NBA superstar Kobe Bryant will call time on his career at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Bryant announced his decision on Monday morning (AEDT) via an emotional tribute he wrote on The Players’ Tribune titled ‘Dear Basketball’. He extended his announcement to twitter, leaving a link to the website on his account.
Dear Basketball: https://t.co/KDecft6BO2 #KB20
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 29, 2015
The now 37-year-old veteran mentioned that he never imagined himself retiring, “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.”
“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,” Bryant added.
“And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go.”
Drafted straight out of high school, Bryant was picked up in the 1996 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall selection – a decision I’m sure the teams with higher picks will be regretting.
In his career, Bryant only played with one team and successfully led them to five NBA championships including a three-peat (1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02) and then back-to-back (2008-09, 2009-10) during which he was awarded the Finals MVP on both occasions.
Bryant jointly holds the record for most All-NBA First Team selections with 11 (15 in total) and was selected in the NBA All-Star Game 17 times (second all-time), winning the MVP of the game four times (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011).
Additionally, Kobe scored 81 points against Toronto in 2006, placing him second in the history of the NBA for points scored in one game.
In contrast to his success, the last few seasons have been a struggle for the five-time NBA champion having only played in 41 of 164 games due to injury.
So far in 2015, the Lakers have won only two out of their 15 games, while Bryant is shooting at 31.per cent from the field (ranked 373rd), making it his worst to date. In spite of this, coach Byron Scott and the Lakers organisation have put full faith in the veteran highlighting that, outside of injury, Bryant will play out the rest of the season.
The announcement was not unexpected by many fans, players, coaches or the Lakers management after Bryant had been rumoured to be considering retirement at the conclusion of his two-year deal which expires at the end of the 2015-16 season.
Many from around the globe have chimed in on Bryant’s announcement, with the NBA Commissioner Adam Silver being no exception.
“Whether competing in the Finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game,” Silver said in a statement.
“I join Kobe’s millions of fans around the world in congratulating him on an outstanding NBA career and thank him for so many thrilling memories.”
Bryant will leave a huge legacy behind for the whole community of the NBA, especially with the Lakers, and there is no doubt that he is one of the greatest players to ever play in the league.
Thanks for the memories Kobe.
Hard to believe @kobebryant is finally going to hang it up. One of the NBA’s great champions. Enjoy the rest of this season my friend.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) November 30, 2015
We have lived incredible moments together on and off the court. Thanks for everything brother! @kobebryant #ThankYouKobe
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) November 30, 2015
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