Kobe Bryant News: Laker Legend Magic Johnson Says 'The Black Mamba' Is The 'Closest Thing We've Seen To Michael Jordan'
The recent announcement of Los Angeles Lakers franchise player Kobe Bryant has created a huge buzz around the NBA world, so far.
"The Black Mamba" declared his intent to finally walk away from the sport after the 2015-2016 season through a letter he published on the Players Tribune. The post was aptly entitled "Dear Basketball," where he basically shared how the game has changed his life and has helped him fulfill his "Laker dream" as a six-year old boy.
"But I can't love you obsessively for much longer. This season is all I have left to give," Bryant wrote. He also said that even though his heart and mind can still handle playing the game, his body knew that "it's time to say goodbye."
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Bryant was drafted in 1996, fresh out of Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania. Since then, he never left the Purple and Gold team, and was able to help bring in five NBA titles. He has, however, been plagued by a number season-ending injuries since 2013.
The success Bryant was able to give the Lakers has been lauded by many. Most recently, former superstar and NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson gave his take on Bryant's retirement, through an interview with Yahoo! Sports.
"I was going to support whatever he chose to do, but I think it's good for him and it's good for the Lakers organization to know they're going to move on without him," Johnson said. "It's good for everybody, even the fans. They know now too. Now everybody can get ready for the new Lakers after he's gone."
Bryant entered the league during the height of Michael Jordan's success after coming back from his first retirement. The two have been compared with each other given the similarities in their style of play. But for Johnson, who has had the opportunity to play with Jordan in the 80's, says Bryant is the closest thing to "His Airness".
"He's the closest thing we've seen to Michael Jordan. He'll probably go down as the second greatest scoring guard. You couldn't stop him," Johnson said in the Yahoo! Sports interview.
