Dear Kobe,

Thank you.

Thank you for inspiring me and an entire generation to play basketball.

Thank you for dropping 81 points in a game.

Thank you for all of the amazing clutch shots, posterizing dunks, acrobatic baseline drives, unstoppable fadeaways and killer crossovers.

Thank you for always playing with no fear.

Thank you for being such a fierce competitor.

Thank you for being so tough and playing through injuries.

Thank you for winning 5 rings.

Thank you for putting up 60 points in the last game of your career.

Thank you for being the greatest player I’ve ever seen in my lifetime.

Thank you for helping me and so many others fall in love with the game of basketball.

Thank you.