Fans React to Kobe Bryant’s Retirement Announcement

“I knew he was in the gym and I knew he was working on his game”.

In an interview with Cleveland.com, James commented about Bryant’s retirement and spoke of his admiration for the Lakers veteran and how Bryant has influenced his play in the National Basketball Association plus.

The 76ers, whose last victory came last season on March 25, 2015 when they defeated the Denver Nuggets, have snapped an National Basketball Association record of 28 consecutive losses, bridging the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons, and an 18-game losing streak to start the current year. One of them has played in the finals since 2007, but not once against each other.

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have been to a combined 11 NBA Finals and at least one of them has been in the Finals in every season since 2007, yet they’ve never faced off in the championship series.

Kobe Bryant and Jahlil Okafor hag after the game!

Bryant’s first game after his retirement announcement will be tonight when his Lakers take the floor in his hometown against the Sixers at the Wells Fargo Center.

“I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain in 2009 for the fans, for us, to meet in the finals”, James said.

Bryant, 37, revealed the news in a post on The Players’ Tribune website, which was launched by another iconic athlete, baseball star Derek Jeter. So every day that I didn’t want to work out or every day I felt like I couldn’t give more, I always thought of Kobe. The Sixers also gave him a video tribute, and retired star Julius Erving joined Gregg Downer, Bryant’s coach at Lower Merion High School, in presenting him with a framed jersey from his prep years. I know you gotta report the games, but you’re going too in-depth about how bad he is. “I was really lucky in my career to have great coaches”.

“I’ve been disappointed this year because you guys treated him like [expletive]”, Durant said. “I talk to him on a day-to-day basis, make sure he feels OK, because…”

About the exchange, Bryant said Jordan told him to enjoy the game whether it the results were good or bad. “So, that part will be missed a little bit”. It was emotional. I’m deeply appreciative. “It’s hard to see him struggling on court”.

For the Lakers, he has played more games than Abdul-Jabbar, played more minutes than Elgin Baylor and is in the top five for career rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, free throws, three-pointers, fouls and turnovers.