Nov 29, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (left) is introduced with teammates before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Storyline Past: Kobe Bryant’s Retirement
Kobe Bryant recently announced that this is his last year playing in the NBA, with his game in Philly his first road game since his poem on The Players Tribune detailed his love of basketball and his reason to leave the game. For such an iconic player, it is no surprise that the site crashed in the wake of this article but has since gone up for everyone to see.
No matter how you feel about him, I’m sure many of us remember some special moments that Kobe gave to us over the years. Heck, at least once every year I watch the game where he scored 81 points against the Raptors. Now that he’s leaving, the league will never be the same. Sure, he rubbed some people the wrong way (most of it his own fault), but there are many more who will remember him for his on-court talents.
While he will never catch Michael Jordan in championships, no one can deny his resume:
- 5-time NBA Champion
- 2-time NBA Finals MVP
- 2008 NBA MVP
- 17-time All Star
- 4-time All Star game MVP
- 2-time scoring champion
- 15-time All-NBA Team
- 12-time All-Defensive Team
No doubt as Kobe aged, he was a different animal and the same beast:
“What does the mean, Kobe Bryant?”
Next: Storyline Present - Losing