“My favorite basketball”: Kobe Bryant’s love poem to his great love

From the moment I began wearing my dad’s athletic socks

And shooting imaginary winning baskets

On the Great Western Forum court*
I knew one thing to be true:

I loved you.

A love so deep, I gave you everything –

From my mind and body

To my spirit and soul.

As a six-year-old boy

So in love with you

I couldn’t see the end of the tunnel.

I only saw myself

Running out of the tunnel.

And I kept running.

Running for you up and down the court

Chasing every missed ball.

You asked for my determination

I gave you my heart

And so much more

I played through the sweat and wounds

Not for the thrill of the challenge

But because YOU asked me to.

I did it all for YOU

Because that’s what you do

When someone makes you feel as

Alive as you made me feel

.

You gave a six-year-old boy his Lakers dream

And for that, I will love you forever.

But I can’t maintain this level of devotion much longer.

This season is all I have left to give.

My heart can endure the pounding

My mind can handle the strain

But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

And that’s OK.

I’m ready to let you go.

I’m telling you now so that

We can savor every moment we have left together.

The highs and the lows.
We gave each other

All we had to give.

And we both know, no matter what I do next

I’ll always be that kid

With the pulled-up socks

A trash can in the corner

:05 seconds left on the clock

The ball in my hands.

5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1

I will always love you,

– Kobe