Sinatra Reacts to End of a Basketball Era
In this April 23, 2008, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball game against the Denver Nuggets. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file).
Two championships, one MVP, two Finals MVPs, seventeen All Star Selections and three Gold Medals over 19 seasons have culminated into a legendary career for Kobe Bean Bryant. On November 11th, 2015, Kobe Bryant announced his retirement from the NBA with an open letter to the game of basketball sharing his love for the game but accepting that it’s time to say goodbye. While it was not totally unexpected, Kobe’s retirement is a huge shock to the basketball world. Since he was drafted out of High School in 1996, Kobe has amazed fans and players everywhere with his fierce competitive spirit, graceful skills, astounding athletic ability, and his unmatched devotion to his fans and to the game. Although the past few years of his career have been riddled with injury and the downfall of his beloved Lakers, the Black Mamba will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest players of all time.
Frank Sinatra basketball fans have grown up watching the astounding play of Kobe Bryant and are now facing the reality that Kobe will end his career.
“It was bound to happen eventually, he’s really old. I expected it so it didn’t make me too sad but it still sucks to see one of the greatest basketball players of all time leave the game, ” Frank Sinatra Legends basketball player Eli Reuven, who wears the same number as Kobe (24) said.
When asked about his favorite memory of Kobe’s career, Eli said Game 7 of the 2010 Finals was such a close game but Kobe really took over with his 23 points.
The mark that Kobe has made on the history of the basketball is matched by very few. The Black Mamba ranks as the NBA’s 3rd highest scorer of all time with 32,703 points after surpassing Michael Jordan in December of 2014. Kobe also ranks second in all time All Star selections with 17. This is a true testament to Kobe’s reputation as a player and as a person, as his popularity has remained consistent through the ups and downs of his career. Through thick and thin, Kobe has persevered and worked his way to a successful career. Whether it be because of his 36 game winners or 5 Championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010, Kobe has become one of the most marketable and recognizable basketball players of all time.
Throughout the past 19 seasons, we’ve witnessed a young ball player from Philly develop into our generation’s Michael Jordan. Sinatra basketball fans will now focus on the final season of one of the greatest basketball players of all time as he finishes out an amazing career. On the behalf of Sinatra’s community and basketball fans everywhere, Thank you Kobe for the memories and excellence you’ve given us over the past 19 seasons.
– by Dylan Hunter Carter ’16