Kobe Bryant On Calling It A Day

BASKETBALL , GMA , KOBE BRYANT

Kobe Bryant Reveals Exactly Why He’s Retiring On “Good Morning America”

Robin Roberts got a chance to go one-on-one with the Black Mamba.

Posted 1 week ago.

Bruce Goodwin II

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As Kobe Bryant makes his victory lap around the country’s arenas after announcing his retirement earlier this week, Good Morning America‘s Robin Roberts got a chance to go one-on-one with the Black Mamba.

Robin immediately asked him, “Why now?”

His response? “It’s the right time, there’s no point in belaboring it.” Kobe held strong that it’s better he make the decision than have any outside influences make it for him.

When asked how he knew it was time, Kobe revealed that the decision came during his daily 15 minutes of meditation in the morning. Normally, his mind would constantly drift towards the game, but lately it just wasn’t happening anymore. And that’s when he realized the end was near. However, the thought had been in his mind for the past three years, and Kobe claims it only popped into his head after his career-altering Achilles injury. He then trained hard, came back the next season, and fractured his knee. He then trained hard again, came back, and tore his shoulder. Despite the injuries, Kobe is grateful to have been a Laker for 20 years.

The fact that he stayed with the Lakers his entire career means the world to him, especially since he was a diehard Lakers fan growing up, with Magic Johnson posters and t-shirts filling his room.

He spoke on his decision to address his retirement in a poem, and while he still doesn’t think the poem does it any justice, he felt the need to speak to fans directly to make sure they know how much they mean to him. “We grew up together and that is such a beautiful thing,” he said.

Robin then asked who would make his list of the top five basketball players of all time, and after refusing to name himself, he referenced the people he learned from: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Jerry West.

Despite all of his success, he’s only got one regret – not having eight rings.

Watch a clip of the interview above and stay tuned for part two, set to air on Good Morning America tomorrow.

SOURCE: GMA | VIDEO SOURCE: Twitter, GMA

Also read Kobe Bryant Farewell Poem:

KOBE BRYANT

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Dear Basketball,

From the momentI started rolling my dad’s tube socksAnd shooting imaginaryGame-winning shotsIn the Great Western ForumI knew one thing was real:
I fell in love with you.

A love so deep I gave you my all —
From my mind & bodyTo my spirit & soul.

As a six-year-old boyDeeply in love with youI never saw the end of the tunnel.I only saw myselfRunning out of one.

And so I ran.
I ran up and down every courtAfter every loose ball for you.You asked for my hustleI gave you my heartBecause it came with so much more.

I played through the sweat and hurt
Not because challenge called meBut because YOU called me.I did everything for YOUBecause that’s what you doWhen someone makes you feel asAlive as you’ve made me feel.

You gave a six-year-old boy his Laker dream
And I’ll always love you for it.But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer.This season is all I have left to give.My heart can take the poundingMy mind can handle the grindBut my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

And that’s OK.
I’m ready to let you go.I want you to know nowSo we both can savor every moment we have left together.The good and the bad.We have given each otherAll that we have. 

And we both know, no matter what I do next
I’ll always be that kidWith the rolled up socksGarbage can in the corner:05 seconds on the clockBall in my hands.5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

Love you always,
Kobe