Dear basketball,
The only time I ever saw Kobe Bryant play in person was a few years ago. He casually poured 47 points on my Blazers. I remember leaving the Rose Garden that night so frustrated not only fueled by anger from losing the game but also from my extreme distaste for the Lakers. Only Kobe Bryant can provoke that kind of emotion from an opposing fan. And only Kobe Bryant can bring a lukewarm fan to sadness when reading his letter saying that this year will be his last.
The Letter
On Nov. 29, Kobe wrote a letter to the Players Tribune saying he would hang his sneakers up at the end of this season. The poem titled “Dear Basketball” is perhaps the most elegantly written letter that one could imagine coming from such a relentlessly competitive athlete like Kobe. Spare yourself the literary criticism; we know Kobe isn’t a poet. Instead, do yourself a favor and read the letter for its pathos, all other presuppositions aside and tell me you didn’t get chills.
Kobe won't miss basketball... too much.
It’s difficult to dive into the future and picture the Los Angeles Lakers without a number 24 on the court. Although the Lakers will miss their floor general, Kobe shouldn’t feel bad about leaving now, he hasn’t been himself in two years. His achievements aren’t sparse: 17 time all-star, five rings, two scoring titles, and an MVP. Kobe doesn’t have all that much left to give to the game; he’s pretty much done it all. And for me, one thing is certain, Kobe won’t miss basketball as much as it will miss him.
Worship for the Game
Kobe Bryant worships basketball. His letter alludes to the love affair he and basketball have. No one can eclipse Kobe’s work ethic, his drive or his down right ferocious mentality that he can’t be beaten. Kobe is an ironic slave to basketball and this is the last year we can witness his greatness
Closing the Door
For anyone who pays attention to basketball, do yourself a favor and buy tickets to a Laker game this season. But before you sit down at Staples Center, read the letter once more just to remind yourself you'll never witness another Kobe Bean Bryant step onto the hardwood again. There’s no guarantee he’ll score 81, no guarantee he’ll hit a game winner, or even cross someone over-- but he just might make the hairs on your back stand tall when he gets a standing ovation.
