Lakers: ICYMI Dear Kobe ‘A Letter From a Celtics Fan’

After announcing his pending retirement from the Lakers Sunday afternoon, fans and rivals alike were quick to offer their take on Kobe Bryant’s decision

Though many assumed Kobe Bryant leave the Lakers at the end of this season, his actual announcement brought a certain finality to this situation.

It was not until this exact moment that fans were able to take a step back: a second to put their anger with Byron Scott’s terrible coaching, Kobe Bryant’s awful shot selection and D’Angelo Russell’s lack of drive on the back burner. A moment to think, “Damn, this is finally it.”

While it was mostly fans taking the time to acknowledge Kobe and thank him for all that he’s done for the game, it was a risky click when the link reading, “Dear Kobe: A Letter From a Celtics Fan” popped up on the feed.

To an entire generation of NBA fans, you are basketball

Almost a forgone conclusion, the note begins on a cheery green Celtic note: “Dear Kobe Bryant, I hate you.”

The Celtic faithful proceeded to explain how he rejoiced when the Lakers were smacked up by Boston in 2008 and how he despised when Kobe won his fifth ring in 2010.

But the letter quickly took an unexpected turn.

"I read your letter in the Players’ Tribune today and was shocked.  Not because you announced your retirement – we all already knew that.  I was shocked because of the way your letter made me feel."

Sentimentality… from a Celtics fan towards a Lakers’ legend?

The writer, better known as Jonathan Jacobson, went on to reveal that just like Derek Jeter, despite their intense rivalry with Boston, they did things the right way, the way that any fan can respect.

"You played the game the right way – with passion, pride, and professionalism. You were true students of the game who pursued greatness by working harder than anybody.   You became generational icons of your respective sports.  You embraced every challenge.  You gave it your all. You put your bodies on the line.  You knew how to win.  You respected your sport, your craft, and your rivalry with Boston."

After dramatically revealing how he hopes the Lakers get stomped by the Celtics one last time when they meet in Boston in late December, things once again took a climactic twist.

"I hope we beat LA once again.  And when you get pulled from the lineup halfway through the fourth quarter when my Celtics are up by 20 points, I think something beautiful will happen.Every single person in the Garden will stop booing.  We will rise to our feet and show respect in the form of the loudest, most passionate standing ovation you have ever witnessed.  We will chant your name.  We will wipe our eyes.  We will say our bittersweet farewells."

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Jacobson wraps up his letter with a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates the legacy of Kobe Bryant, “To an entire generation of NBA fans, you are basketball.”

Praise from a Celtics fan, the Lakers’ most bitter of rivals, proves that Kobe’s game transcends allegiances, just as Michael Jordan did decades ago.

Smart sports fans pay respect where respect is due — his blog’s header reads, “An Intelligent Celtics Blog for Intelligent People” — and Jacobson did so in a beautiful way.

Read the entire letter here.

Next: Jahlil Okafor on Seeing Kobe 'Like a God Kind Of'

What are your feelings about Kobe Bryant finally deciding to hang it up? Do you think you’d ever be able to speak about a Boston Celtic the way Jacobson spoke about Kobe? Let us know in the comments below.