Dear Kobe,
You’ll always be that kid from Philly
Raised with the same sets or pride felt within us all
When you moved away, you took a piece of Philly with you
Tenacity, passion, grit, the desire to be a champion
For nearly two decades, you transformed the game
You caused us heartbreak
You reveled in the role of our villain
Now here we are as you embrace our city, your roots, one last time
You’ll always be that kid from Philly
And we knew you before the world did
Much respect,
Philadelphia
