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.