Take everything you think about Kobe Bryant right now and put it on the back burner. The team record, the shooting percentage, the huge contract, all of it. Put it in the back of your mind right now. Instead, let’s take this opportunity to say “Thank you” to one of the best to ever lace up a pair of basketball shoes and step out on the court. Let’s say “Thank you” to a 5 time champion. Let’s say “Thank you” to a former MVP. Let’s say “Thank you” to arguably the greatest Los Angeles Laker of all time. Let’s say “Thank you” to a legend.
It’s easy to think of the Kobe that we’re seeing right now. But we need to remember that Kobe Bryant has been in the league since 1996. We need to remember that Kobe Bryant is a 5 time champion, 17 time All Star, 15 time All-NBA team member, 12 time All-Defensive team member, 2 time scoring champion. And he ranks 3rd all time in regular season and post season scoring.
Kobe Bryant is a once in a lifetime player. He’s one of those players you watch play and say to yourself “The league won’t be the same when he’s not playing.” Of course, he’s not playing at the same level he was before he started getting injured, and it’s sad to watch. But we’re not here to talk about that Kobe. We’re here to say “Thank you.”
So thank you Kobe Bryant. Thank you for 20 great seasons. Thank you for entertaining the fans. You fell in love with the game of basketball, and fans all over the world are glad you did. You provided us with some entertaining moments in the NBA.
We can talk about the three peat. We can talk about the repeat. Or we can just talk about the 5 championships altogether. We can talk about the MVP season. We could even talk about how you should probably have more than one MVP season. We can talk about the points. We can talk about the countless amazing performances you’ve given us over the years. We could talk about 81, or we can talk about Kobe Bryant 62, Dallas 61.
Of course, all people want to talk about at the moment is now. All around the basketball universe, there are talks about how Kobe should have retired after last season, or even the season before. But the truth is, now that the news is here, and it’s a reality, most of us will miss Kobe Bryant. But we all know that it’s also time for Kobe Bryant to retire. He’s given so much to the game of basketball. He’s more than earned the right to retire. Kobe doesn’t have anything left to prove. He’s done it all.
Now on a personal level, I want to say “Thank you” to Kobe Bryant. Thank you for showing me what it’s like to love the game of basketball. For showing me that basketball can be more than a game. For showing me that this game is unlike anything else. For showing me that basketball can be an escape. When I watched you play, it was unreal at times. The shots you would make, the way you got to the hoop, just your overall passion. Even with an achilles tendon tear, you stayed in the game and shot two free throws.
You’re one of the best players to ever play the game. And in just a few months, we’re not going to have the privilege to watch you play anymore. In 66 games, you’ll be no longer be a member of the National Basketball Association. Thank you for the moments you’ve given us so far. Let’s hope we can get a few more before you call it quits on a great career.
Thank you Kobe Bryant.
