Last week, the legendary Kobe Bryant announced that he will be retiring after this NBA season. The news may have come as a shock to some sports fans, but some Kobe Bryant fans have been waiting on their toes for the inevitable announcement. Kobe Bryant has played in the league for over 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, and has helped lead the team to five championships in his NBA career. In addition, he has been the game changing player in the NBA since Michael Jordan left, and continues to inspire basketball players across the world with every game. As I mentioned, Kobe Bryant isn’t just revered in California, or the United States, but he’s admired throughout the world. Kobe Bryant became a legend of the game, earlier on his career.

His legendary reach is so extensive that when he came to play the Washington Wizards in DC last week, after making his retirement announcement, countless fans came out to support him. This talented player has forever changed the NBA game, shown by the endless support he receives. At the Washington Wizards stadium, spots of yellow Bryant jerseys were spread throughout the stadium and his fans cheered him on throughout the game. At some points throughout the game they chanted “Kobe!” and “MVP!” In the end, practically the whole stadium, die-hard Kobe Bryant fans or other basketball fans the understand Kobe’s influence on the game, were applauding him together.

Although he has the admiration and respect of the world, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t won a championship since 2010. In the past five years the team has been in sort of a rebuilding stage. Kobe Bryant’s body was getting older and more prone to injury, but he wasn't going to let that stop him. Through the seasons of rebuilding, Bryant has not only shined with his incredible basketball skills but he continues to help build the teammates surrounding him. He has vast knowledge and wisdom about the game and endless help that he provides to better the other men on the court.

The era of Kobe Bryant is coming to an end, but of course, his legacy will continue to live on forever. As I’ve said countless times, he changed the face of the NBA game and his mark will continue to change the NBA game throughout the years to come. He will not doubt be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame for his many efforts and hard work that he put into the game throughout the years. Although it is a very sad time for Kobe Bryant fans and NBA fans across the world, it is his time to move on and leave his record breaking stats behind. Good luck to Kobe on the rest of his life, and congratulations on his success thus far -- it has been an honor watching everything that you’ve done.