Magic Johnson Welcomes Kobe Bryant Into NBA’s Unofficial Legends Club

Who better than Earvin “Magic” Johnson to usher Kobe Bryant through the pearly gates of retirement from professional basketball?

Johnson on Wednesday published an open letter to Bryant on his website, “The Playbook,” ahead of the retiring Los Angeles Laker’s last game later in the day. In the letter titled “Dear Kobe,” Johnson succinctly and poignantly pays tribute to Bryant on a Laker-to-Laker level.

“Every night you played, I couldn’t wait to watch knowing that I would witness an unbelievable shot or move that I had never seen on the court,” Johnson wrote. “I marveled at the skills and loved the energy you brought to the game wearing that purple and gold uniform. You never disappointed the city, Laker fans, and basketball fans worldwide. All you cared about was winning games and championships and that’s why so many people love you.”

Johnson continued by giving Bryant what some might consider the ultimate compliment: “Very few people have changed the game of basketball but you will be recognized as one of them alongside my ‘Dream Team’ teammates, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan.”