Twitter Reacts to Kobe Bryant's Retirement Announcement

Celebs and athletes bid farewell to the Black Mamba.

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Dear Kobe, We'll Miss You! - The end of an era is near. On Sunday, via a poignant poem on The Players' Tribune, Kobe Bryant announced that he will retire at the end of this season. With five NBA titles and 17 All-Star Game selections over his Hall of Fame-bound, 20-year career, the announcement naturally set off a wave of reaction on Twitter. BET.com compiled the good, the bad and ugly from celebs and fans, alike, reacting to the Black Mamba's impending farewell. 

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Scottie Pippen @ScottiePippen - From a six-time NBA champion to a five-time champ.(Photo: Scottie Pippen via Twitter)

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Scottie Pippen @ScottiePippen - From a six-time NBA champion to a five-time champ.(Photo: Scottie Pippen via Twitter)

Photo: Scottie Pippen via Twitter

Allen Iverson @alleniverson - The Answer had to give it up to Kobe. (Photo: Allen Iverson via Twitter)

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Allen Iverson @alleniverson - The Answer had to give it up to Kobe. (Photo: Allen Iverson via Twitter)

Richard Sherman @RSherman_25 - No matter what the sport, athletes always respect the Black Mamba's ultra-competitiveness.(Photo: Richard Sherman via Twitter)

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Richard Sherman @RSherman_25 - No matter what the sport, athletes always respect the Black Mamba's ultra-competitiveness.(Photo: Richard Sherman via Twitter)

J.R. Smith @TheRealJRSmith - J.R. Smith could be wild at times, but he was dead-on with this thought. (Photo: JR Smith via Twitter)

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J.R. Smith @TheRealJRSmith - J.R. Smith could be wild at times, but he was dead-on with this thought. (Photo: JR Smith via Twitter)

Kurt Rambis @KRambis - True...it will be sad when the great Kobe Bryant isn't on an NBA court anymore, but then again, nothing lasts forever. (Photo: Kurt Rambis via Twitter)

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Kurt Rambis @KRambis - True...it will be sad when the great Kobe Bryant isn't on an NBA court anymore, but then again, nothing lasts forever. (Photo: Kurt Rambis via Twitter)

Chris Mannix @ChrisMannixSI - Solid point.  (Photo: Chris Mannix via Twitter)

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Chris Mannix @ChrisMannixSI - Solid point.  (Photo: Chris Mannix via Twitter)

Interim Panthers Fan @BasedChasen - Yes, The Black Mamba's most-memorable moments will surely be relived this season. (Photo: Interim Panthers Fan via Twitter)

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Interim Panthers Fan @BasedChasen - Yes, The Black Mamba's most-memorable moments will surely be relived this season. (Photo: Interim Panthers Fan via Twitter)

Michael Eric Dyson @MichaelEDyson - Well said. (Photo: Michael Eric Dyson via Twitter)

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Michael Eric Dyson @MichaelEDyson - Well said. (Photo: Michael Eric Dyson via Twitter)

Abby Wambach @AbbyWambach - From the soccer legend to the hoops legend—respect.(Photo: Abby Wambach via Twitter)

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Abby Wambach @AbbyWambach - From the soccer legend to the hoops legend—respect.(Photo: Abby Wambach via Twitter)

Stephen A. Smith @stephenasmith - The time has come...and it's as simple as that.(Photo: Stephen A Smith via Twitter)

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Stephen A. Smith @stephenasmith - The time has come...and it's as simple as that.(Photo: Stephen A Smith via Twitter)

Caron Butler @realtuffjuice - Good call. We can see that happening in every NBA city he visits for the rest of this season, too.(Photo: Caron Butler via Twitter)

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Caron Butler @realtuffjuice - Good call. We can see that happening in every NBA city he visits for the rest of this season, too.(Photo: Caron Butler via Twitter)

Cari Champion @CariChampion - ESPN's Cari Champion quoted the words of Kobe Bryant's farewell note on The Players' Tribune...because, well, they were that emphatic.(Photo: Cari Champion via Twitter)

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Cari Champion @CariChampion - ESPN's Cari Champion quoted the words of Kobe Bryant's farewell note on The Players' Tribune...because, well, they were that emphatic.(Photo: Cari Champion via Twitter)

Paul George @Yg_trece - Paul George was one of the many young players influenced by the Black Mamba.(Photo: Paul George via Twitter)

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Paul George @Yg_trece - Paul George was one of the many young players influenced by the Black Mamba.(Photo: Paul George via Twitter)

Snoop Dogg @SnoopDogg - There isn't a bigger Los Angeles Lakers' fan than Snoop.(Photo: Snoop Dogg via Twitter)

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Snoop Dogg @SnoopDogg - There isn't a bigger Los Angeles Lakers' fan than Snoop.(Photo: Snoop Dogg via Twitter)

Shane Victorino @ShaneVictorino - We think we're all going to enjoy this stretch run, Shane.(Photo: Shane Victorino via Twitter)

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Shane Victorino @ShaneVictorino - We think we're all going to enjoy this stretch run, Shane.(Photo: Shane Victorino via Twitter)

Terrell Owens @terrellowens - Elite company.(Photo: Terrell Owens via Twitter)

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Terrell Owens @terrellowens - Elite company.(Photo: Terrell Owens via Twitter)

Cedric the Entertainer @CedEntertainer - And that's no joke.(Photo: Cedric The Entertainer via Twitter)

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Cedric the Entertainer @CedEntertainer - And that's no joke.(Photo: Cedric The Entertainer via Twitter)

Photo: Cedric The Entertainer via Twitter

Derek Carr @derekcarrQB - Having grown up in California, the Oakland Raiders quarterback was quite affected by the Black Mamba.(Photo: Derek Carr via Twitter)

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Derek Carr @derekcarrQB - Having grown up in California, the Oakland Raiders quarterback was quite affected by the Black Mamba.(Photo: Derek Carr via Twitter)

Larry Fitzgerald @LarryFitzgerald - Classy and true sentiments about the five-time NBA champ.(Photo: Larry Fitzgerald via Twitter)

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Larry Fitzgerald @LarryFitzgerald - Classy and true sentiments about the five-time NBA champ.(Photo: Larry Fitzgerald via Twitter)