Kobe Bryant LAST NBA Game FULL coverage *60pts, Intro, Speech, Press con

Kobe Bryant's 20th and final NBA season came to a close on Wednesday night. He finished it exactly as he spent most of it: remorselessly and gleefully gunning.

And everybody loved it, because it was perfect. It couldn't have been more perfect.

In his last game as a professional basketball player, Bryant fully embraced the Viking funeral that began when he announced on Nov. 29, 2015, that this would be his last ride. With Los Angeles Lakers fans, NBA legends, former teammates, Hollywood royalty, his wife and his children watching his every move, Kobe entertained us all one more time with a performance that seemed, even as it was unfolding, like the stuff of fiction.

Shaquille O'Neal wasn't kidding. He really did call for 50 during an "Inside the NBA" chat last month. Back then, Kobe said no. On Wednesday, he changed his mind.

He scored 60 points — the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, topping Anthony Davis' 59; the sixth 60-point game of his career, second-most all-time behind fellow Laker great Wilt Chamberlain; and the most points ever by a player in his final NBA game (joining, of all people, Jordan Crawford and Eddie House!). He did so on 50 field-goal attempts, the most by any player in any one game dating back to the 1983-84 season, to lead the Lakers to a thrilling and unbelievable 101-96 win over the visiting Utah Jazz.

In yet another season full of losing that saw the Lakers finish with a franchise-worst 17-65 record, Kobe found a way to go out a winner ... and to go out a winner in the most precisely, 10-out-of-10 Kobe way humanly possible.

Kobe becomes one of just four players in NBA history to take 50 shots in a game, joining Wilt, Elgin Baylor and Rick Barry. In going 6 for 21 from 3-point land, he becomes just the sixth player ever to cast off from beyond the arc more than 20 times in a game, alongside record-holder J.R. Smith (naturally), Damon Stoudamire, Vince Carter, George McCloud and Michael Adams.

The run-up to Kobe's 1,556th and final NBA game featured loads of pomp and circumstance, from all manner of "thanks for the memories" swag for the fans to diamond-studded golden retirement rings for Bryant and his wife, Vanessa. Before the opening tip, the Lakers unveiled their contribution to the season-long series of tribute videos lauding the career of the 18-time All-Star, 15-time All-NBA selection, five-time NBA champion and 2007-08 Most Valuable Player:

[guru_basketball_kiero]

I remember saying when I was 6 years old "I like Kobe Bryant! He's gonna be my favorite player"

I watched Kobe grow man! From them airballs in Utah, his first match-up against Michael Jordan, All-Star games, the dunks on Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, the feud between him and Shaq, 9 str8 40pts games, the awesome game winners, th dunk he had in Brooklyn (my personal favorite Kobe dunk), of course the Championships and parades, his will, his determination, and to end his career with one last 60pts

I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS AND HIS CAREER!
Kobe Bryant is the greatest player of all-time to me and I will never think differently

[joe]

i thought he would prolly drop 35 in a loss. but this guy amazes me everytime....just unbelievable

[jimfigueroa]

happy i was born before he retired😩😩😩😩😭😭😢im going too miss kobe favorite all time player 😭😭

[rivermcbride]

Am I the only one who cried watching this😭😭😭😭

[rrjohns]

Hated by Most, Loved by Some, RESPECTED BY ALL.

[mango]

Ended the game with 60 points
Made a comeback
Made a game winner
And the last thing he did in his career was an assist

[pennyccw]

I respect Kobe on and off the court and I decided to make an hour tribute for his last NBA game

#respect
#mambaout

[klebeau]

this was the dopest kobe game i ever had the privilege to watch man that shit was incredible. literally battled father time one more time for all of us n killed that shit.. i was prayin like plz have a good game. im gunna miss that feeling of nervousness for him to come thru just to watch him remove it all with those clutch shots. ne never let us down when it counted.

[BrzJuan]

I will forever miss you thank you for being an inspiration for me as a high schooler and as a man. Thank You KING RIP

[ShaunTheNavigator]

Really was a pleasure to watch this man for 20 years. Fought his way into the rotation in his early years. Progressed from 8th man to elite 6th man and All-Star. To Batman vs. Shaq's Superman, as the greatest duo in league history. To the 2nd greatest solo act next to MJ. To MVP and All-Time great. You are MISSED, Kobe Bean Bryant. The world not only lost a great athlete, but a great MAN. RIP, Mamba.

[GreatApeChristopher]

kobe played like he was bull shitting this whole season and said fuck ima play frfr

[jjunn]

even at last game, he gave a wonderful play with 60 points for us and the team. all my respect to the legend

[ryszardkilinski]

Well. i guess He proved here he is finally one of the Greatest.

[techgeek]

I can’t stop watching Kobe re-runs. It’s like I used to watch MJ VHS tapes of his final wins. I’m glad we have YouTube

[Newtobricks]

To be part of the 18k in attendance was an experience that i'll never forget. Amazing game to be at for one of the greatest to ever suit up. Thanks for the memories Mamba! KB20...

[BigSlim]

I cried watching this, my fav player ever, the greatest, he was my generation mj

[debiahisrael]

It still hurt watching the brother playing basketball. He have worked so hard, but did not enjoy the fruits of his labors. May TMH send him back in the future❤❤❤

[mikewood]

This is probably the 50th time I've watched this. I truly loved Kobe! I can't believe he's gone. Like why??

[RAIDR]

I watched this game live. I hadn't got to watch many games from his last season but I couldn't miss it. Kobe had me in tears in the 4th quarter because he did exactly what I remember him doing my whole life... GET BUCKETS.

[junelmar]

Kobe you are the reason why I play basketball, you are my childhood hero thank you for everything . 🐐