Calling it quits: Kobe says this will be his last season
Kobe Bryant has decided to retire after this season, ending his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 37-year-old Bryant made the announcement in a post on The Players’ Tribune Sunday. The third-leading scorer in NBA history wrote a poem entitled “Dear Basketball” to announce his decision.
“My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind. But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye,” Bryant wrote. “And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now. So we both can savor every moment we have left together. The good and the bad. We have given each other all that we have.”
Bryant went straight from high school in suburban Philadelphia to the Lakers in 1996, and he earned five championship rings and 17 All-Star selections during two decades with the franchise the longest tenure with one team in NBA history. Bryant also won two Olympic gold medals.
But Bryant’s last three seasons have ended early due to injuries, and he played in only 41 games over the previous two years. He has struggled mightily in the first 15 games of this season with mostly young teammates on a rebuilding roster, making a career-worst 32 percent of his shots and dealing with pain and exhaustion every day.
In recent months, Bryant repeatedly said he didn’t know whether he would play another season, clearly hoping for a rebound in his health and the Lakers’ fortunes.
Neither has happened, and the ever-impatient Bryant didn’t wait any longer to decide his future.
“Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “Whether competing in the Finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game. I join Kobe’s millions of fans around the world in congratulating him on an outstanding NBA career and thank him for so many thrilling memories.”
Even during his late-career struggles, Bryant’s fans have remained devoted to the 6-foot-6 star who won titles alongside Shaquille O’Neal in 2000, 2001 and 2002 before teaming with Pau Gasol for two more in 2009 and 2010. Only 13 players in league history played on more championship teams than Bryant.
The Lakers (2-13) hosted the Indiana Pacers Sunday night, and coach Byron Scott said Bryant intended to play, even after playing 34 minutes at Portland Saturday night.
Memphis 92, Philadelphia 84: Zach Randolph had 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 92-84 victory over Philadelphia, sending the 76ers to their record-tying 18th straight loss to start the season.
The Sixers have lost an NBA-record 28 consecutive games dating to last season and at 0-18 matched the New Jersey Nets’ start in 2009-10.
Brooklyn 87, Detroit 83: Thaddeus Young had 19 points and 10 rebounds, Brook Lopez scored 15 points and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Detroit Pistons 87-83.
Phoenix 107, Toronto 102: Eric Bledsoe had 20 points and 11 assists, Mirza Teletovic also had 20 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Toronto Raptors 107-102 to snap a four-game losing streak.
Orlando 110, Boston 91: Victor Oladipo scored 19 points and Nik Vucevic added 18 points and 10 rebounds to help the Orlando Magic beat the Boston Celtics 110-91 for their third straight victory.
L.A. Clippers 107, Minnesota 99: Blake Griffin scored 12 of his 26 points in the final 6:32, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 107-99 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.