After 20 years in the NBA, Kobe Bryant will put on his Lakers jersey for the last time. Bryant announced his decision to retire in a poem penned for The Players Tribune entitled Dear Basketball. Arguably one of the best players since Jordan, Kobe ” La Mamba” Bryant has created a legacy for himself in the NBA. He will leave the league having spent 20 years with one of the most popular franchises in the NBA, bringing home 5 championships for the Lakers. At only 37, Bryant has admitted that despite his ability to mentally play the game of basketball, physically he can no longer take the rigorous demands of the game. “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.”

Love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant will continue to be a huge name in the NBA long after he is gone. And if you wonder if Kobe cares about those who hate him, check out his Nike commercial graciously titled “Don’t Love me. Hate me.”; the same title as his first Nike commercial in 2006. If you want to share your thoughts on Kobe’s last game you can head over to Nike, via your mobile device, and give your last words of love or hate to the retiree. Congrats to Kobe for making it from Philadelphia to the history books of the NBA. His presence on the court will be truly be missed.

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