Kobe Bryant Goes Out The Only Way He Could – Shooting
Kobe Bryant wrote his own Hollywood ending as he scored 60 points to defeat the Utah Jazz in the final game of his storied career
They came to see a champion. Because they knew a champion like him might never come again.
All night, the Los Angeles Lakers had tributes and messages for Kobe Bryant in his final night in the NBA. It began with Magic Johnson conducting the farewell ceremony as he did during this year’s All-Star game.
He introduced the video tribute, filled with messages from the leagues superstars: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and a touching message from the still recovering Lamar Odom.
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Of course, a game still had to be played. The Jazz took an early lead as the Black Mamba and entire Lakers squad couldn’t seem to make a shot. For awhile, it seemed as if the pageantry of the moment might actually spoil the night as Kobe missed his first five attempts.
Even as the Lakers began to battle back, the Jazz held their lead and did not allow themselves to be erased by the magnitude of the game.
No one, likely not even Kobe Bryant himself, expected what would happen in the arena that night. The Black Mamba went on to give one of the single best nights of his entire career in his final outing.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was never going to be after 20 years of wear and tear. It took 42 minutes and 50 field goal attempts, but Kobe led a Laker comeback with an amazing 60 points. Kobe has had only five 60+ point games in his entire career.
“What can I say? Mamba out”- Kobe Bryant
Astoundingly, he only had 22 points at halftime and scored 23 of his points in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Bryant addressed the fans one final time. He thanked the fans for their support and loyalty even when the team struggled. He thanked his teammates, and the way they stuck together to come back to win championships. Finally, he thanked his wife and daughters, for their support as he spent time away from them during his career.
When asked at the press conference what he would do when he woke up the next day, Bryant answered that he would work out and then spend the day at the office. Already, the Mamba was ready to jump into his new life.
His message to the young Lakers was to give it all that they have when they are on the court, adding that it all ends so quickly.
As Bryant concludes his 20th and final season, he leaves the Lakers in mystery. The team is going to the lottery this summer, to be sure. There is the hope that as the Black Mamba leaves, a potential new superstar may arrive in the form of Ben Simmons or Buddy Hield to change the fortunes of the franchise.
But the night was not about the future. It was about the present, which will soon be the past.
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It was about the superstar who brought five championships to an already storied franchise. A Laker who took the torch from Magic Johnson and wrote his own memorable chapter in their history. A player who in 20 seasons had nights where he scored 81 points, won the NBA MVP, five All-Star game MVPs, two Finals MVPs, and even two Olympic Gold Medals along the way.
It was an ending that could only happen in Hollywood. Just as he’s done his entire career, Kobe Bryant wrote the script.