CBS: Lakers Star Kobe Bryant Retiring from NBA After 20 Years

KING: “This morning, one of the greatest players in the NBA history is saying farewell, good-bye, auf wiedersehen, good night. Los Angeles Lakers superstar, that would be Kobe Bryant, plans to retire after this season. He’s won five NBA championships. He was an all-star 17 times. And is third in the league in all-time scoring. Jeff Glor is here with a look back at Kobe Bryant’s brilliant career. Jeff, good morning.”

GLOR: “Gayle, good morning to you. Bryant posted a 52-line farewell online Sunday. Maybe not a huge surprise this is the end, but still, a stunning career to see in full.”
[clip stars]
GLOR (voice-over): “For the first time last night, fans watched Kobe Bryant take the court, knowing it would be his last season.”
BRYANT: “I don’t want to do this anymore! (Laughter) You know, it’s — and I’m OK with that.”
GLOR (voice-over): “Bryant posted a note online Sunday called ‘dear basketball.’ In part saying, ‘my heart can take the pounding, my mind can handle the grind, but my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.’ Bryant’s 37-year-old legs have betrayed him in recent seasons and he has missed major stretches. The generation behind him is half his age. Bryant, himself, sprung from the era before that, when Jordan dominated. Both players [indecipherable] out for their scarily intense desire to win. In 2001 Bryant talked to Charlie Rose about his confidence on ‘60 minutes.’
ROSE: “I’ll take you to this scene. 20 seconds left to go. You’re down by one. You want the ball. You want to take the last shot.”
BRYANT: “Absolutely. I’m not afraid to fail and I just love it.”
GLOR (voice-over): “Bryant’s life and career were both thrown into question in 2003 when he was accused of rape. He was charged with sexual assault but the case was dismissed and he settled a civil suit with the accuser. His wife stood by him. Today, he is about to end a 20-year NBA career. He’s not the same guy who once scored 81 points in a game, but he says he accepts that.”
BRYANT: “It’s a national progression of growth and maturation. I mean, there’s no sadness in that. I mean, I’ve had so many great times, right? I think it’s a very appreciative of what I’ve had.”
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GLOR: “Bryant has struggled big time this year but the Lakers are in rebuild mode. So his most important job maybe that of mentor. At the end of his career, making sure other players get the right start to theirs.”
ROSE: “It’s an incredible career. There are couple thinks about it. One, he constantly developed new shots in his career.”
GLOR: “Yes.”
ROSE: “And secondly, Magic Johnson once said, he is the only player he knew that after the game would go back to his hotel room and watch a tape of the game.”
GLOR: “Watch tape.” [crosstalk]
KING: “His love letter to basketball is nice. He said I will always be the kid with rolled up socks, garbage can in the corner, five seconds on the clock, ball in my hands, 5-4-3-2-1 shoot! He’ll be missed, Kobe Bryant.”
GLOR: “It’s a cool letter to read, but I still think — when I think Kobe — that icy intensity that he showed to you in that interview, right?”
ROSE: “Right.”
KING: “Thank you.”