Dear Mr. Kobe Bean Bryant,
As your last game is sadly approaching, I thought I would take the time to express my feelings of love, sadness and admiration towards you. I never thought this day would come. The fact that The Kobe Bryant is retiring was something I thought would never happen. I seem to understand that your body just cannot handle it, but am still trying to cope with the fact that next season, that #24 jersey won’t be on the court, or sitting on the bench cheering on his teammates.
I’m a huge fan of yours. Ever since I was a baby, I’ve been a Lakers fan. Being your fan is in my blood because my parents are such big fans of yours ever since they watched you as a rookie at Long Beach Pyramid. You’ve always been my favorite player and I admire you so much. Going to games was such a privilege because I was able to watch my all time favorite Laker play. I went to Laker Fan Jams to put my feet on the soles of your shoes to compare how much larger your feet were compared to mine, and to get a glimpse of those trophies that you won. Your ball handling skills are impeccable, the fluidity of your shot is amazing, the way you appreciate every single one your teammates and coaches is admirable and the way you loved the sport of basketball made me want to love it as much as you did both as a fan and a player. In my nineteen years of living, I’ve gotten to see you win countless MVP awards, watch the patches on your All Star jacket increase, see my mom scream and cheer whenever you made a buzzer beater, see my dad buy all your shoes and clothes and so much more. You don’t know it, but you’ve impacted my life and my family’s life so much. You, Kobe, allowed for us to bond over something we truly enjoy: basketball.
I know the past few seasons have not been that great. You’ve faced injury, coach changes and players have come and gone (I’m talking about you, Dwight). Although these have been trying times, I’m still here as a fan. Shoot, I’ll always be a fan of yours and the Lakers. I can’t wait for the day I go to Staples Center and see a statue of you right near Chick Hearn, Magic, Kareem, and even Shaq. Laker games will never be the same. I’m going to miss the Kobe chants, your highlights being played on that white curtain before the game would start, and seeing your face on the tickets. Let’s be real, the NBA won’t be the same starting next season.
So thank you, Kobe. Thank your for raising five championship banners in Staples Center, for the three-peat, for dedicating more than half your life to the Lakers, for changing the game of basketball, for the eighty-one point game and for changing so many lives. I don’t wanna say goodbye, but I know I’m going to have to in just a couple days. Just know that while you’re playing your last game ever, I’ll be watching while wearing your number on my back and with tears in my eyes. Heroes come and go, but legends are forever. You, sir, are a legend. Thank you for blessing the NBA with your skill. There’ll never be another Kobe Bryant.
With love and admiration,
A Dedicated Kobe Fan.
