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Twitter Reacts to Kobe Bryant’s Retirement Announcement

Posted byBy Ricky Riley | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

espn_midyrzoom_18bFor the last two years, Lakers legend and five-time champion Kobe Bryant has been plagued with injuries to his back, legs and knees. In the short period of time, his health, play and skills have diminished, causing the Lakers to shift from one of the league’s formidable teams to one of the worst organizations in the NBA.

Bryant, 37, is playing unlike himself. He is averaging 15.7 points a game while shooting only 31.5 percent from the field and 19.5 percent from three-point range. This Sunday, Bryant announced his retirement from basketball in the form of a letter via The Players Tribune. In it, he wrote:

“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.”

Over his 20 year career, Bryant has amassed 38,000-plus points in regular and post-season games, making him third all-time on the NBA’s points list. He has won 5 rings, scored an 81 point game that is only second to the great Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game in 1962, has 17 NBA All-Star selections, has been a league MVP, has two Olympic gold medals and countless fans who consider him one of the greatest of all-time.

Many of his fans from all walks of life took to social media to show support, celebrate and acknowledge his greatness on the court.

https://twitter.com/Jotomyz/status/671126387634278400

 

https://twitter.com/youngwhiteside/status/671167877165268992

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