An Ode To Kobe Bryant, In Two Charts

Bryant had just made a three to cut it to a one-point game. Now trailing by three, Kobe rose for another shot. The crowd rose with him, anticipating a huge make. Then all you see is dejection as the shot misses everything.

Kobe Bryant made it official Sunday Night — the 2015-16 NBA season will be his last. Our panel of Insiders assesses where Kobe ranks among NBA and L.A. legends, analyzes his greatest strengths and weakness and shares favorite memories.

Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles Lakers. Dear Basketball,. From the moment. I started rolling my dad's tube socks. And shooting imaginary. Game-winning shots. In the Great Western Forum I knew one thing was real: I fell in love 

Kobe Bryant—who at 37 is shooting just 32% on 17 shots per game and looks to be a very empty shell of his former self—announced his retirement tonight, in the form of a love poem to basketball on The Players' Tribune.

Kobe Bryant announced his retirement at the end of the season via an open letter to basketball, posted at The Players Tribune. It was a poignant way for one of the NBA's greatest players to tell the world that he's hanging it up.