Saying goodbye to a sport you love is hard. But Kobe Bryant took an even harder, _____61___(pain) route: His goodbye lasted for nearly three years.
For many, Bryant is a legend. He started out as a basketball prodigy(神童) ____62____skipped college and took his talents directly to NBA. It was his quick action and aggressive personality _____63____earned him the nickname Black Mamba. ___64____ competing in the finals or practicing jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game. Fans remember him____65____ the player who helped the Lakers win five NBA championships in his two-decade long career.
Bryant’s final game ____66______(hold) on April 13 at the Staples Center in his home city of Los Angeles. For Bryant, the occasion was bittersweet. In ____67_____ interview with ESPN, Bryant explained __68____ much these last few games meant to him. “There’s __69____I love more than being able to play this entire season,” Bryant said, “to go through these tough times, and to play in these buildings one last time.”
Kobe's millions of fans around the world congratulate him on an outstanding NBA career and thank him for so many ____70____(thrill) memories.