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NBA: Looking Back At The Biggest Basketball Moments From 2016

By Clevis Murray

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) stares at Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 115-101. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) stares at Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 115-101. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the court at the end of the final game of his career at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the court at the end of the final game of his career at Staples Center. The Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Kobe Bryant

The act of being great on the court consistently isn’t forever. The memory of that greatness is. Kobe Bryant is living proof of it, as the 2015-16 season was dubbed “The Farewell Tour” by many. The Lakers weren’t going anywhere except the lottery that season and Bryant was a shell of himself for tidbits of the season… Well, until April 13th.

On that late night at the Staples Center, where greats from the entertainment and sports world collided, Bryant put on a show only he could with a league-high for the season with 60 points (yeah, he took 50 shots but he literally went out guns blazing).

It was a performance not a soul in that arena or an individual watching via TV or stream would’ve seen coming. Him scoring at least 20 points seemed as reasonable way to go out. But to score 60 – that number greater than 30, 40 and 50 – in his last game epitomizes an entertainer saving their best for last.

The game is not only an NBA or Bryant classic, it’s a sports classic. Not every athlete can leave their respective sport on top with a feeling of dominance. Bryant had the luxury of doing so, as it was a reasonable alternative since he didn’t have the opportunity to contend for an elusive sixth title.

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