Photo Credit: www.morguefile.com

Kobe Bryant wrote an open letter on the Players Tribune Website, announcing this would be his last season. This crashed the website shortly after being posted. The Lakers veteran wrote a moving poem stating “my heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind, but my body knows it’s time to say goodbye”.

The announcement came as a shock to the public, and social media reactions began to pour in. Among the people showing respect and gratitude towards the NBA player were Scottie Pippen, Justin Timberlake, Lupe Fiasco and Lil Wayne.

Bryant spent 20 years with the LA Lakers achieveing 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, and two Olympic gold medals. With a relentless work ethic we can all say he will be more than missed.