By Brendan Dyer

“This season is all I have left to give.

My heart can take the pounding

My mind can handle the grind

But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye

And that’s OK,

I’m ready to let you go.”  -Kobe Bryant

Longtime Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant announced that this 2015-2016 season will be his last as he will retire from the game after 20 seasons.  Although he is struggling this season, his career is filled with many accolades and statistics unlike any other.  Many consider him to be one of, if not the best to ever play the game of basketball in the NBA.

Kobe Bryant was drafted in the first round of the 1996 NBA draft right out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets and was then traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.  During his 20 year career with the Lakers, Bryant was selected as an All-Star 17 times and could possibly be selected for an 18th time this season.  He has won five NBA Championships, two Olympic gold medals, and is ranked third of all time in points scored, only behind Karl Malone, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  His astonishing career and accolades are incomparable to any other player, as well as his grueling work ethic and his desire to always be the best.  

Kobe Bryant is a future hall of famer who some consider to be the best player of all time.  Spending 20 seasons with the same organization is very rare to see, but Kobe Bryant stayed loyal to the Lakers and brought them many wins and amazing moments that will be remembered for decades.  Every player must retire at some point, and while battling injuries and just getting older, Bryant decided that he is ready to let the game of basketball go.  Kobe Bryant will be sorely missed in the game of basketball, but his major impact on the NBA will be remembered for years to come.