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Bryant's Teammates and Peers Express Admiration

This is it for Kobe Bryant, who announced Sunday that he is retiring at the end of the season.

Head coach Byron Scott, General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Bryant himself have expressed their feelings on this decision, and now Bryant’s teammates and adversaries lend their voices to celebrating one of the game’s top talents.

Jordan Clarkson
“I think I was maybe in middle school during the championships. I got to enjoy him growing and becoming the person who he is. It’s pretty cool to be around this time.”

Larry Nance Jr.

Julius Randle
“For me, it’s sad. It’s a celebration of him, but for me it’s sad, because I grew up and that was my hero growing up. I tried to do everything like him. He’s my idol, so for me it’s sad.”

D’Angelo Russell

Nick Young
“It was so sad. Sat here in the room, and you all make it a little more sad when you watch the Kobe ‘fro and the transformation. And it’s tough to see him go out like that because it’s no more Kobe. And that’s like the face of the Lakers. Kobe’s been a Laker for 20 years. It’s like, “Hey, (D’Angelo) Russell, Julius (Randle), that’s some tough shoes to carry. Kobe put up a lot of buckets out here and a lot of rings.”

Even L.A.’s opponents, the Indiana Pacers, expressed their admiration of Bryant after the game.

Paul George
“Coming into this, it was just about cherishing the moment, period. I was thinking this could be my last matchup against him in L.A., so I was already thinking about coming into it tonight, so I just knew off the bat to cherish the moment.”

”I don’t really have any moments of watching (Michael) Jordan, but Kobe was my Jordan; watching him win championships. I just remember being at home watching the games with my mom, grandma, dad (and) just idolizing him. After the game was over, I’d go in the front yard and try to imitate everything that I just saw.”

Jordan Hill
“He’s the greatest. He’s one of the greatest. He did more than enough for the NBA, for this league, and I guess he feels it’s time to hang it up, so I congratulate him. Wonderful career, wonderful guy. Best of luck.”

Head coach Frank Vogel
“Every time he touched the ball and every time he checked in, the place just exploded like it was Game 7 of the Finals.”

Players from around the league, old and new, also chimed in with their praise of the 17-time all-star.

Shane Battier

Jamal Crawford

Rick Fox

Pau Gasol

Eric Gordon

Jusuf Nurkic

Scottie Pippen

J.R. Smith