Penning an emotional love poem to basketball, Los Angeles Lakers starKobe Bryant announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season. Interestingly enough, Bryant's poem shares some similarities with the letter Michael Jordan wrote in 2003 as a final goodbye from basketball.
Earlier in the 2002-2003 season, Jordan had announced his retirement but at the end of the year, in one final act he wrote a letter saying goodbye from basketball. Jordan's letter to basketball while sincere was also a nationwide full-page ad by Nike in Sunday newspapers.
Jordan, like Bryant started his letter with "Dear Basketball" before talking about his relationship with the game.
It's been almost 28 years since the first day we met. 28 years since I
saw you in the back of our garage. 28 years since my parents
introduced us.If someone would have told me then, what would become of us, I'm not
sure I would have believed them. I barely remembered your name.I know I'm not the only one who loves you. I know you have loved many before me and will love many after me. But, I also know what we had was unique. It was special. So as our relationship changes yet again, as all relationships do, one thing is for sure. I love you, Basketball. I love everything about you and I always will. My playing days in the NBA are definitely over, but our relationship will never end.
While Bryant went for the more poetic route, it looks like he may have taken some of Jordan's ideology in his poem. Bryant has of course studied Jordan throughout his career, using some of the Hall-of-Famer's tricks and techniques to become the player that he is today. So it is only fitting that Bryant will announce his retirement with a message of love to basketball, just like Jordan did.
H/T: Russ Bengston
