After 20 years in the National Basketball League, Kobe Bryant announced that this year will be his last season in the NBA. Kobe Bryant’s endearing letter to basketball can be found here (http://www.theplayerstribune.com/dear-basketball/), as he announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season. The saying remains true that Father Time is undefeated, as Kobe himself acknowledged that “My heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind, but my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.” Bryant is now 37 years old, and has had three injuries in the past two seasons, severely limiting his time on the court.  Bryant has brought more to the game than anyone save Michael Jordan, serving as a bridge between the eras of Michael Jordan, Gary Payton, and Isaiah Thomas to LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry. To some, it is not just how Kobe played, but when he played.

I remember watching in awe in my oversized purple and gold jersey as Kobe won two consecutive titles in 2009 and 2010, trying to remember exactly how Kobe did what he did so I could copy it in the driveway later, as thousands of kids all across the world tried to do, too. Many NBA stars have also admitted to copying Kobe, including Paul George and Kevin Durant, calling him the “Michael Jordan of our era”, and wanting to be exactly like him. Kobe inspired our generation, showed us what true determination looks like, and taught people to never give up, on or off the court. His vicious dunks, impossible threes, and clutch shots are all just part of the legacy Kobe leaves behind. One thing that remains certain is that Kobe won’t be gone for long, as he will surely return to the game he loves, whether it be on the sidelines in a suit coaching or announcing.