-Vintage Canuck- Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 3rd all-time in scoring 17-time All-Star 5 NBA Titles 2-time NBA Finals MVP 2-time NBA Scoring Champ Quote Kobe Bryant announced Sunday on the Players' Tribune website that he will retire after this season, saying "this season is all I have left to give." In a piece entitled "Dear Basketball," the 37-year-old Bryant wrote that the sport of basketball "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," Bryant wrote. "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." Bryant is struggling through the worst season of his storied 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers and has been plagued by injuries in each of the past five seasons. He entered Sunday's game against the Indiana Pacers averaging 15.7 points per game on a career-worst 31.5 shooting percentage. Bryant is averaging more field goal attempts per game (a team-high 16.7) than points (15.7). His field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage both rank last in the NBA among qualified players. But despite the rough start to the season, the Lakers have publicly supported Bryant. Lakers coach Byron Scott told ESPN on Friday that he would not bench the 17-time All-Star for his poor play. The Lakers have 66 games remaining after Sunday, and it will likely turn into a adoration tour of sorts for Bryant, who has already gotten long ovations from normally hostile fans on road trips this season, particularly in places like New York and Miami where crowds sensed that they might be seeing him as an opponent for the final time. The Lakers' next road game is, perhaps not coincidentally given the timing of Bryant's announcement, on Tuesday in Philadelphia -- his hometown. Bryant is in the final year of a two-year deal that will pay him $25 million in 2015-16, making him the NBA's highest-paid player this season. The expiring contract and numerous injuries had led to widespread speculation that Bryant would retire after this season. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has publicly said on multiple occasions that the franchise expected the former league MVP to retire at the end of his current contract. Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in 1996 but was traded to the Lakers. He helped Los Angeles win five NBA championships and was named the league's MVP in 2008. He currently is third on the NBA's all-time scoring list, behind only Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. Bryant won the dunk contest at All-Star weekend as a rookie, played in the All-Star game for the first time the following year and a star was fast born. The 81 points he scored against Toronto on Jan. 22, 2006, are second only to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in NBA history, and he's the only player to spend 20 consecutive seasons with the same team. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14254236/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-announces-retire-season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rounoush Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Farewell to one of the all-time best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c00kies Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Too bad he's limping out of his career, but he's been a special treat for the NBA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRussianRocket. Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Goat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil B From The Pack Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 i'm about to cry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Legacy-wise it would've been great if he'd retired after Dwight was moved but being the gamer he is, it's unlikely that Kobe would've just gone out like that. It's unfortunate then that he had to go out like he is now, as a clearly over-the-hill and injured superstar while his team is on the rebuild. Nonetheless, his accomplishments clearly speak for themselves, and his compete level and scoring ability were awe-inspiring to behold. All the best, Mamba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatedkid666 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Thats crazy. But its definitely his time to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiggs50 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Shoulda retired a couple years ago. But that's Kobe. The critics never fazed him. Top 10 all time easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Crosby Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 It'll be hard to see a Lakers game without him. He's been there. That midrange fade was his shot and I just don't see anyone that can duplicate it anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Weasel Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Retiring already? Damn, he's softer than D12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaNuCkSLoUiE23 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Black mamba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurn Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 I have not been a fan since 2003. Good riddance to a jerk of poor moral character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fateless Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Probably should have retired two years ago. Either way - the guy had a remarkable career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
250Integra Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 GOAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks Prophet Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Was never a big fan of Kobe, but his impact on the Lakers and the NBA is undeniable. He is certainly up there with all of the great legends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiznak Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 GROAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcon45ca Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Farewell to a legend. Like em' or lump em', the man is damn good at basketball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RRypien37 Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 One of the best. #2 behind MJ in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dral Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 I wonder if he gets traded.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJDDawg Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Damn, where have the years gone? It's the right call. He's been beyond bad this season and it's been hard to watch. First ballot Hall of Famer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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