Dear Basketball
- Dec 1, 2015
- 2 min read
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
Five time NBA champion. MVP. 17 time NBA All-Star. Kobe Bryant's illustrious career will come to an end at the end of the season. The poem, posted in The Players' Tribune, confirmed what many thought was inevitably coming following Bryant's abysmal start to the season. But rather than agonisingly remember Kobe's slow decent into the abyss, let us remember the best of his career.
The second highest ever points scored by one player in a game, behind Wilt Chamberlain's untouchable 100. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better following a 26 point first half performance, Kobe takes it to another level by dropping 55 in the second period.
Outside of his killer instinct, Kobe will perhaps be best remembered for his ability to perform in the clutch; from game winning threes to the famous alley-oop to Shaq.
Some of Kobe's best moves weren't always on the court. Probably his most (in)famous commercial.
The NBA is going to miss you Kobe Bryant. Forever and always.
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