...effective at the end of this season. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dear Basketball: <a href="https://t.co/KDecft6BO2">https://t.co/KDecft6BO2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KB20?src=hash">#KB20</a></p>— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) <a href="https://twitter.com/kobebryant/status/671113940584275968">November 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Greatest player I've ever seen play live in person. Not named Hakeem Olajuwon. I hated Kobe for so long, I can't hate him anymore. Never wanted to see him fade away like this. Please Kobe, one more disrespectful windmill dunk with the patented finger wag.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Assuming Lakers don't miraculously make the playoffs, Kobe Bryant's last NBA game will be on 4/13 against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center.</p>— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpearsNBAYahoo/status/671118483678224384">November 30, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That letter was devastating and beautiful at the same time. Will hate him but respect what he has done for the basketball world
Truly one of the all time greats, probably the 2nd greatest SG of all time. But good riddance. He was an obnoxious ball hog, and aside from Iverson there's not another great player I hated more.
I really hated Kobe during his time as our opponent, but I have total respect for him as a player and as someone who has committed to the game. He's a living legend, and now it's time for him to ride into the sunset.
The closest clone to MJ. The Drive, passion, jumper, athleticism, 81, 5 rings, SOB, how the heck did he make that, dagger....all are excellent words to describe the Mamba on the court. Yes he had his issues off it, but he helped deliver 5 titles to LA during his amazing career.
Props to an all-time great. I hated him throughout his career, but he's the greatest scorer of his generation.
Top 6-10 all time great depending on how much you like the lakers or how much you hate his ball hogging ability. Regardless, he is the last of the great 1996 draft.