Final answer:
Option (D), The word 'Melancholy' best describes the tone of Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball', conveying a reflective sadness. This tone is expressed through the emotional and passionate language used in the poem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The poem 'Dear Basketball' by Kobe Bryant is best characterized by the tone 'D' - Melancholy.
Melancholy is a tone of pensive sadness or sorrow, often with no obvious cause. By contrast, somber suggests a mood of darkness, seriousness, or gloominess. Carefree denotes an absence of anxiety or responsibility, while humorous implies being funny or amusing.
In 'Dear Basketball,' Bryant expresses a deep emotional connection and a reflective sadness about leaving the sport he dearly loves, indicative of a melancholic tone. This is evident in phrases such as 'giving everything I have' and 'my heart can take the pounding,' which convey his passion and the sadness of parting from his lifelong pursuit.