Bryant to retire at end of this season

The five-time National Basketball Association champion has spent his entire playing career with the Lakers, but the current season will be his last.

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers announced Sunday that he would retire from professional basketball after the end of this season, his 20th in the NBA, bringing to a close one of the most decorated careers in the history of the sport.

Kobe turned 37 in August, and age combined with recurrent injuries have seen a drastic reduction in his production.

“Philly is where I grew up”, Bryant told The Associated Press earlier this season.

He has appeared in 17 All-Star games, was named the Most Valuable Player for the 2007-08 regular season and landed MVP honors in the 2009 and 2010 Finals when he led the Lakers to consecutive championships. “And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go”, added Bryant.

In a gesture to the fans, Bryant wrote a letter to fans who attended the Lakers’ Sunday home game against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center.

Bryant is at peace with his decision and excited for the future.

While Kobe stated numerous times he would not make a decision until the end of the season, his announcement came as a surprise.

“I just had to accept the fact that I don’t want to do this anymore, and I’m okay with that”, he said.

“Why not? It takes a load off my shoulders and everybody else’s”.

Bryant was DeRozan’s favourite player while growing up in Compton, Calif. He told stories. He said his favorite moment was when he got drafted. Somebody who I truly care about, have a lot of respect for. Russell has had issues on defense and that has led to him getting benched late in some games, but Scott said that Russell is handling things better now.

Kobe Bryant’s dream was to take over that spot and become the ruler that others used to measure their greatness.

“When we first met I was just a kid”.

He posted a poetic farewell to the game on The Players Tribune, “Dear Basketball”.

Lakers president Jeanie Buss said that the team were “in full support” of Bryant, and echoed Scott’s comments, saying: “We’re all sad”.