Guys my age grew up in the Jordan era. We really, really liked Mike. To most of us, Michael Jordan is the greatest NBA basketball player of all-time.
Kobe Bryant's NBA career began in 1996-97. That season, Michael Jordan led the Bulls to the NBA title. With Jordan's career fresh in our minds, nothing Kobe did would ever measure up.
Then, in 2003-04, LeBron James debuted for the Cavaliers. Now, at 30 years of age, after his fifth NBA finals appearance in a row, real debates can be had. Is LeBron as good, or better, than Jordan? Maybe!
Kobe has been squeezed. He's the lynch pin between Jordan and LeBron, and as stellar as he was, he wasn't as good as either.
Kobe has announced this season will be his last, and he did it with a poem. It ends like this:
My heart can take the pounding
My mind can handle the grind
But 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 now
So we both can savor every moment we have left together.
The good and the bad.
We have given each other
All that we have.
And we both know, no matter what I do next
I'll always be that kid
With the rolled up socks
Garbage can in the corner
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1
Love you always,
Kobe
