Dear Basketball,
From the moment I started rolling my dad’s tube socks
And shooting imaginary Game-winning shots In the Great Western Forum
I knew one thing was real:
I fell in love with you.
A love so deep I gave you my all —
From my mind & body To my spirit & soul.
As a six-year-old boy Deeply in love with you
I never saw the end of the tunnel.
I only saw myself Running out of one.
And so I ran.
I ran up and down every court After every loose ball for you.
You asked for my hustle
I gave you my heart
Because it came with so much more.
I played through the sweat and hurt
Not because challenge called me
But because YOU called me.
I did everything for YOU
Because that’s what you do When someone makes you feel as Alive 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 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 saver 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, 5 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2
...1
Love you always, Kobe
Subtitle By Sami_R