sports    

Kobe Bryant to Announce Retirement

By: Adrian Baker

    

     Kobe Bryant, 37, has announced his retirement at the end of the current season.  With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA, MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of professional basketball.  Whether competing in the Finals or hoisting   jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game.

     Bryant was drafted out of high school by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in 1996, and later traded to the Lakers. He helped Los Angeles win NBA titles in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2010 and was named the league's MVP in 2008. He currently is third on the NBA's all-time scoring list, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone.

     Bryant won the dunk contest at All-Star Weekend as a rookie and played in the All-Star Game for the first time the following year. The 81 points he scored against Toronto on January 22, 2006, is second only to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in NBA history, and Bryant is the only NBA player to spend 20 consecutive seasons with one team. Kobe will be missed, but speculators expect to see him as a commentator for the game.

Editorial Commentary

 

Athletes Must Show Discipline

By Adrian Baker

     Being an athlete is beneficial as one can be involved in athletics in middle school, high school, and college. The athlete can learn personal traits in middle and high school such as teamwork, perseverance, responsibility, physical endurance, commitment, time management, and how to maintain personal and emotional health.

     Athletes play sports either because of the love of the game(s), for experience to learn about life and more. When you are an athlete, there should be nothing on your mind but winning with your team. There are many athletes who are blessed with unique talents for the particular sport(s) they are playing and many athletes become professionals.

     Being an athlete is never easy because in order to become a better athlete, one has to practice more, and be very disciplined about his or her play and that of teammates and opponents.

 

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