The Chirp: Athletes React to Kobe's Retirement

The Players' Tribune

The Voice of the Game

Dec 1, 2015

On Sunday evening, in a letter posted on The Players’ Tribune, five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant announced that he would retire from the game of basketball at the end of this season.

Dear Basketball: https://t.co/KDecft6BO2 #KB20
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) November 29, 2015

Athletes and fans poured out onto social media to celebrate the legendary Laker’s career and remember their favorite Kobe moments:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement regarding @kobebryant’s announcement today pic.twitter.com/fenWAw4qSH
— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2015

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@kobebryant we have know each other since our sophomore year in high school and it's been a pleasure watching and playing against you the last 20 plus years my brother! You truly did your damn thing! #legandary #TheHypeWasReal #OneOfTheGreattestOfAllTime ????????????????⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️?????

A post shared by Jermaine O’Neal Sr (@jermaineoneal) on Nov 29, 2015 at 7:12pm PST

We have lived incredible moments together on and off the court. Thanks for everything brother! @kobebryant #ThankYouKobe
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) November 30, 2015

Nothing but tremendous respect and admiration for @kobebryant I have always been the biggest fan of his competitive drive. Thank you
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) November 30, 2015

Kobe forever.
— Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) November 30, 2015

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#Respect #TheMamba #ItWasAPleasure

A post shared by Damian Lillard (@damianlillard) on Nov 29, 2015 at 5:06pm PST

Hard to believe @kobebryant is finally going to hang it up. One of the NBA's great champions. Enjoy the rest of this season my friend.
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) November 30, 2015

One of the TRUE KINGS of the game. You are one the greatest to ever do it, my friend. #Kobe #BlackMamba #VinoClub https://t.co/Gn7DAB2src
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) November 30, 2015

Kobe is really about to retire?? Oh man, it feels so weird, almost unreal.
He started playing in the @NBA , I was 4 years old...#TrueLegend
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) November 30, 2015

Love @MettaWorldPeace's reactions to @kobebryant's letter to the fans. pic.twitter.com/ctAcZ77yYt
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) November 30, 2015

20 years amazing ! With one franchise amazing ! #blackmamba
— cappie pondexter (@cappa23) November 30, 2015

Hate to see my fav player (Kobe) walk away from the game! One of the greatest competitor to ever grace the hardwood floor! #kobethegreat
— Kendall Langford (@KendallLangford) November 30, 2015

?? https://t.co/YkI7chmhCE
— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) November 30, 2015

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There are many words that describe this man but for me the one that Kobe stands for is " WINNER " .. He has played the game with passion shown young kids the drive you need to become the best and given basketball fans mostly LAKERS fans the chance to watch a true winner ... Sad to see Kobe retiring at the end of the season but unfortunately all great things must come to an end ... Enjoy man ?? @kobebryant

A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) on Nov 29, 2015 at 11:48pm PST

Thank You @kobebryant!!#IncredibleRun
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) November 30, 2015

I'm about to cry https://t.co/BIR9fuCzlK
— Charles James II (@CJDeuce_) November 29, 2015

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#ThankYouKobe

A post shared by Pau (@paugasol) on Nov 30, 2015 at 9:28am PST

I was honored to have you as a teammate #TeamUSA ??? pic.twitter.com/H9jjd8Q4Am
— Lolo Jones (@lolojones) November 30, 2015

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Legend

A post shared by Ed Davis (@eddavisxvii) on Nov 29, 2015 at 6:46pm PST

https://t.co/DJMBlugrqk pic.twitter.com/cDTmhwxptl
— BrandonSpikes55 (@brandonspikes55) November 30, 2015

Just got home from our game. Heard @kobebryant is retiring. His Competitiveness inspired me to compete the way I do. #FavoriteAthleteEver ?
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) November 30, 2015

Going to hate to see my guy go... https://t.co/1hSS6WdfWe
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) November 30, 2015

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A few weeks ago when I saw big bro he told me this was his last go around. I guess I just didn't want to believe him. I'm appreciative of everything you did for this unbelievable game @kobebryant .No question the game will miss your greatness! #mamba #OG #Greatness #Legend #idol

A post shared by Wayne Ellington (@wayneellington) on Nov 30, 2015 at 7:30am PST

GOAT https://t.co/9aak7IMfVo
— Nat Berhe (@NatBerhe) November 30, 2015

Sad day. Role model @kobebryant announcing retirement. Want to watch him play for the rest of my lifetime. Mamba mentality. Thank you! ?
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) November 30, 2015

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One of the greatest to ever lace up. Thank you for all the memories. @kobebryant

A post shared by עומרי משה כספי (@omricasspi18) on Nov 29, 2015 at 6:28pm PST

Wow wow the ? @kobebryant ending it after this season hard to believe! Forever my favorite player blessed to get to play against him!
— Trey Lyles (@TreyLyles) November 30, 2015

My boy Kobe go hang it up after this year ????
— Darius Slay (@slay_darius) November 30, 2015

I'm sick man. Wish he could play forever. RiP DAD! https://t.co/U3OKmQhggb
— Quinn Cook (@QCook323) November 30, 2015

You loved the game @kobebryant and the game loved you back! Proud to know you and honored to have represented the #PurpleandGold together!
— Rick Fox (@RickFox) November 30, 2015

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A post shared by Julius Randle (@juliusrandle30) on Nov 30, 2015 at 12:06am PST

No Kobe no !! ??? My idol leaving the game. I might cry !!
— BrandonSpikes55 (@brandonspikes55) November 30, 2015

The game won't be the same once Kobe is gone...
— ? Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) November 30, 2015

The best player I had the opportunity to watch! Congrats on a remarkable career! #GOAT @kobebryant
— Peak Work Archie (@JoshHarris25) November 30, 2015

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How many people can say they've done this?

A post shared by D'Angelo Russell (@dloading) on Nov 29, 2015 at 11:53pm PST

?? #Salute https://t.co/K8tsr3Ko7M
— Wade Smith (@Smitty74allday) November 30, 2015

Kobe retiring = I have no reason to watch bball anymore
— Peak Work Archie (@JoshHarris25) November 30, 2015

Does this mean I have to find a new favorite NBA player now?
— Niles Paul (@NilesP_) November 30, 2015

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Kobe Bryant, Slam dunk giant,

A post shared by Nick Young (@swaggyp1) on Nov 29, 2015 at 5:29pm PST

No @kobebryant , whyyy. Why Kobe??? Please don't! The NBA won't be the same for me anymore. I'm gonna miss him. #myidol
— GIUSEPPE ROSSI (@GiuseppeRossi22) November 30, 2015

Beautiful. Sometimes the most beautiful things don’t make you happy or smile…they make you feel. I felt this. https://t.co/hJQttU7y1k

— Essence T. Carson (@Pr3pE) November 30, 2015

Going to miss the GOAT @kobebryant always been amazed from the age of 5 when I first watching him
— Ricky Ledo (@REALRICKLEDO1) November 30, 2015

We all new it was coming but hate to hear it ?? ..Kobe don't go bro--
— tyshawn taylor (@tyshawntaylor) November 30, 2015

That's deep. @kobebryant pic.twitter.com/HwKWiP7lK2
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) November 30, 2015

Well said Kobe. This hit all the way home. ? pic.twitter.com/eutwhlmSIJ
— Jacki Gemelos (@JackiG_23) November 30, 2015

Thank you #kobe #koberetire pic.twitter.com/hu5KXVHiJt
— Hassan Whiteside (@youngwhiteside) November 30, 2015

Every hooper wants his mentality. The game will never be the same... #ThankYouKobe ?✊??
— Chiney Ogwumike (@Chiney321) November 30, 2015

Fans at tonight's @Lakers game will receive a letter written for them by @kobebryant. pic.twitter.com/6T9LyP6C1Z
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) November 30, 2015

Saying goodbye his way! Salute Kob??❤️ https://t.co/olg1Y8NMq4
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) November 30, 2015

KOBE top 10 dead or alive

— Chris Taft (@BlessedTaft) November 30, 2015

Kobe should play in 2016 Olympics his greatness deserves another Gold medal.

— Chris Taft (@BlessedTaft) November 30, 2015

Farewell, Bean pic.twitter.com/vSRpMAw23j
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) November 30, 2015

Man I really hope Kobe plays in the 2016 Olympics! The perfect way to end his incredible career. Thanks for everything @kobebryant! RiP DAD!
— Quinn Cook (@QCook323) November 30, 2015

Much respect to @kobebryant as he announces his retirement after the season. A fierce competitor and one of the greatest to ever do it!
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) November 30, 2015

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It was an honor to even be on the same court as this man Kobe #oneofthegreatest #kobe #youngnate

A post shared by Nate Robinson (@naterobinson) on Nov 29, 2015 at 6:51pm PST

Salute to @KobeBryant. I will be savoring each and every last one of his games. We got to witness basketball greatness.
— Ros Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) November 30, 2015

Thanks for everything to the greatest basketball player of all time Kobe Bryant. The game will never be the same!! pic.twitter.com/usVftyfIKu
— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) November 30, 2015

Kobe is the greatest competitor I have ever faced. I am glad he’s found peace, I don’t know if we ll see another like him. Enjoy the last 66

— Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) November 30, 2015

KB scored 56 on me in 3(!) qtrs my rookie year. Pushed me to be better more than any player I’ve faced. He has my ultimate hoops respect.

— Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) November 30, 2015

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#Respect #TheBlackMamba

A post shared by Ricky Rubio (@ruuufio) on Nov 29, 2015 at 7:05pm PST

"Appreciate the bad times just as much as the good, because that's where you find yourself" -Kobe Bryant...Much respect for this man, Salute
— Quincy Acy (@QuincyAcy) November 30, 2015

Kobe still droppin gems for us all to take not just in basketball but in life #goat
— Monique Currie (@Mocurrie25) November 30, 2015

"You asked for my hustle, i gave you my heart" -Kobe Bryant-
?? pic.twitter.com/kUAXaeX2Le
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) November 30, 2015

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"I’m ready to let you go. I want you to know now, so we both can savor every moment we have left together." Hit our bio link to read @kobebryant's letter to basketball. (Photo by @walteriooss for The Players' Tribune.)

A post shared by The Players' Tribune (@playerstribune) on Nov 29, 2015 at 4:06pm PST

The Chirp: Athletes React to Kobe's Retirement

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