Responses to the Lakers star's retirement in the last 20 years have filled the net • Pau Gasol: "Thanks for everything my brother!"

• Kobe Bryant. Competitively created a satisfying knowledge until the body said its own

  Photo:

  IP

Kobe Bryant's retirement announcement tonight excited quite a few people from the basketball industry, as well as outside. While the possibility of hanging the shoes at the end of the current season was constantly in the air, following his injuries and ability over the past three years and especially this season, there is no doubt that the poem he published, entitled "Dear Basketball," announced again that "the body knows it's time to say goodbye" and that " This season is all I have left to give, ”did not leave many dry eyes.

As soon as the poem was posted, the Los Angeles Lakers ticket sales registered, and the site on which it was released, "The Players Tribune," collapsed. Now it seems that in any field that Bryant touches on his last game against the opponent, he will receive a respectable breakup, as won by Michael Jordan and Karim Abdul Jabbar.

Kobe Bryant alongside LeBron James. Two stars who came to NBC straight from high school // Photo: IP

As mentioned, this is not an unexpected announcement, as Bryant also recently said he was looking into continuing it. His contract ends this season, and recently also suffered a few injuries. He will retire after a glorious career that includes two decades of dominance in which he won five championships, two Olympic gold medals, 17 All-Star appearances, one MVP title, twice a Final Series MVP, a double king, an 81 point game (second highest), and above From 32,000 points, which places him third on the all-time list. He is also the only player in the history of the NBA to have played 20 seasons in the same team, and one of four players with 20,000 career points, 6,000 rebounds and 6,000 assists.

Bryant's grand finale may be at the Rio Olympics next year, as it is currently part of the US Olympic team's wide roster.

Bryant with Pau Gasol. Two championships together // Photo: GettyImages

Reactions to Bryant’s announcement were not late coming from all over the league. Commissioner Adam Silver said: "With his list of accomplishments and his wonderful work ethic, Kobe is one of the greatest players in basketball history. Whether he played in the NBA Finals or in the gym, bullets have always shown unconditional love for the game."

Magic Johnson: "I'm happy for him, he felt it was his time. He is an important player for the league, the Lakers and Los Angeles. He will be remembered as one of the big ones. We will miss him, the league will miss him and I will personally miss him. After Michael C. "We didn't know who would take over the league, and he did it, along with Tim Duncan, who both have five championships. There will be no Kobe Bryant anymore. I put him a little under Michael Jordan, two of the big stars this league knew."

Bryant himself said after the Lakers loss to Indiana: "You can't make that decision because of external circumstances. It has to be an inside decision. I had to come to terms with the fact that I don't want to do it anymore, and I'm okay with it. And take the burden off my shoulders. I feel good, very at ease with the decision, excited about what I expect. I have worked very hard, and will continue to work the hardest I can. A farewell journey? I appreciate the crowd on the roads, I have to thank them, they have always been a source of motivation I have a lot of respect and appreciation for them. "

Bryant alongside Omar Caspi. Wonderful career // Photo: IP

His wife, Vanessa, wrote to him on her Instagram account: "You can leave knowing you've always played with everything you have, Babe. I'm so proud of you. I'm proud of everything you gave to all your fans, even when you didn't feel your best. You always pushed yourself to the end "Because you are sacrificing for the fans who have come to see you especially. You are very important to us all. I am so excited to see what God has in store for you and our family now that this episode is closing and another is opening. Love you! Vanessa."

Lakers fans who arrived at Staples Center tonight received a black-and-gold envelope with a letter from Bryant with the following: "Some of you accepted me and some of you didn't, but you all helped me become a player and the person in front of you. The purple-gold uniform. It's an honor for me to play today and throughout the season, my love for the city, for the team and for each of you will never be lost. Thank you everyone for an incredible journey. "

On social networks, the reactions were not too late. Pau Gasol , who won with Bryant in two consecutive championships while playing for the Lakers, wrote in his Twitter account: "We had incredible moments together on and off the field, thank you for everything my brother!"

Scotty Pippen: "It's hard to believe that Kobe Bryant will retire at the end of the season. He is one of the great NBA champions. Enjoy a friend later in the season."

JR Smith: "One of the most unedited games of the game says hello. He gave it all !!!"