Reactions to Kobe Bryant announcing he will retire at the end of the season
Kobe Bryant announced on Sunday night before the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Indiana Pacers that he will be retiring at the end of the 2015-16 season. Though fans new that the end of Kobe’s time in the NBA and with the Lakers was near, the announcement still hit like a ton of bricks.
However, the news of Bryant’s impending retirement doesn’t resonate with only Lakers fans. Kobe has meant as much to the NBA over the past decade-and-a-half as any other player in the league. His desire and his achievements are near-unmatched in the history of the league and, to see a player of that importance walking away from the game is truly staggering.
As a result of the shocking news, the Internet full of Kobe fans, Lakers fans, and NBA fans alike reacted accordingly on Twitter:
I remember watching Game 7 of 2010 Finals, almost screaming because BOS had it in the bag. Watching Kobe standing on the scorer's table ...
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) November 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/Javonkemp/status/671139373463699456
It's been one hell of a ride, Kobe. One hell of a ride. pic.twitter.com/l8f8rwGXXz
— Jahan (@H00PINATI) November 30, 2015
The more you think about it, the more you realize this takes a lot of pressure of this season. Kobe won't be back. And he seems fine with it
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 30, 2015
When Kobe announced he would retire after this season... pic.twitter.com/k8HIa3sykS
— Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) November 30, 2015
Without a doubt, my favorite Kobe moment ever. And there are a lot of awesome moments to choose from: https://t.co/2rOEmnDtPv
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) November 30, 2015
Kobe is the most loyal player I know, he could of left L.A. to compete for a chip, but he didn't, instead he went down with them. #Loyal
— Legendary Lakers (@LegendaryLakers) November 30, 2015
The sentiment felt by Lakers fans and fans of the NBA alike is that it’s sad to see one of the game’s all-time greats hang them up, even if it’s time for him to go.
There are 67 games remaining in the 2015-16 NBA season; let’s cherish each and every one as our last memories of Kobe.