5 NBA players who will probably get a better retirement tour than Kobe Bryant
Even since current Los Angeles Laker and future NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant announced his retirement on November 29, 2015, the league and their fans have given the Black Mamba plenty of love: Standing ovations from visiting fans, props from opponents and cool homages galore.
Nonetheless, there's something missing.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Julius Erving's respective retirement tours had a sense of warmth and fuzziness about them, whereas Kobe's has been more respectful than celebratory. (This can be attributed to the fact that he's positioned himself as an NBA villain, so if he's bummed about the lack of warmth and fuzziness, he has nobody to blame but himself.) Over the next several years, a handful of beloved—or, in some cases, mostly beloved—NBA stars will be shutting it down, some of whom will likely be showered with gifts, flowers, tears and rocking chairs.
STEPHEN CURRY
The reigning MVP still has several zillion blurry-fast jump shots left in the tank before calling it a career, but considering his standing with fans, the corporate world and the NBA, come 2026, he's in for the farewell of a lifetime.
DIRK NOWITZKI
You'd have to look long and hard to find anybody who would go on record with anything negative about the beloved German Maverick. Aside from the fact that he forever altered the power forward position, he's a respectful and respectable opponent and teammate who made an indelible mark on the NBA throughout the world.
TIM DUNCAN
Like Dirk, the Big Fundamental is a highly esteemed symbol of all that's good about not just the NBA, but professional sports as a whole, thanks to his work ethic, his ability and desire to counsel his younger teammates and his seemingly eternal greatness. Maybe you agree that he's the best power forward the game has ever seen and maybe you don't, but it's impossible to argue that he's one of the finest individuals to ever lace 'em up.
DWYANE WADE
He has rings, he has resilience, he has cute kids and his place in Springfield, Massachusetts is assured. The NBA Nation is already working on their BYE-BYE, D-WADE, WE MISS YOU & LOVE YOU signs.
LEBRON JAMES
Okay, LeBron's had some missteps and has been known, on occasion, to put his foot in his mouth, but whenever he commits a gaffe, he goes out of his way to make up for it, be it staging a fantastic charity event or making an endearingly awkward appearance on Saturday Night Live. Sure, he has his detractors, but when he hangs them up in five or so years, folks will be lining up to kiss his XIII iDs.
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