Kobe Bryant ended his career the only way we knew Kobe could. He finished with 60 points, on 22-50 shooting (44%) and brought one of the greatest moments in Lakers history during one of the Lakers worst seasons.
From the start, Kobe looked like he was a little bit nervous. In his 1,346 career games, not once would it seem that Kobe would appear nervous. One thing that would not change, would be the amount of shots he took. Famously known for taking a lot of shots, the Black Mamba came out firing this game. It was expected that he would shoot a lot, but unfortunately, he started out 0-5. Ironically, what got him going in this game was a defensive play. He pinned a shot against the backboard midway through the first quarter, and then came down on the other end and made his first shot of the game, a mid range shot. Instantly after that, it looked like Kobe was 5 years younger, and went on to make 5 of his next 6 shots following the 0-5 start. He had a vintage and-1, and nailed a transition 3 pointer to get the crowd involved. It was unbelievable and so much fun to watch.
Kobe Bryant got a little bit too comfortable and took a heat check shot, somewhere near a 27 foot jumper, and missed. He then cooled off for the rest of the quarter. Kobe got a rest to start the second quarter, and came back into the game with about 6 minutes left. Kobe would drive past Gordon Hayward and “dunk” it. He would end the first half with 22 points on 7-20 shooting with 2-9 from 3. The Lakers entered the half down 15.
Coming out of halftime, Kobe would have his say in how his final game would go. Throughout the quarter, his teammates kept giving him the ball, and he kept shooting it. He started the second half with a quick 6 points, bringing his total to 28. He would then eclipse the 30 point mark on a nice 5 point spurt that would cut the lead to 5 at the moment. The game maintained close until the end of the quarter, where the Jazz would push the lead to 9.
Just when the Jazz looked to pull away, Mr. Bryant nailed back-to-back 3’s to keep the game close early on in the 4th quarter. With just under 4 minutes to go, Kobe sat at 45 points, and it was a 12 point game, 96-84. Then Kobe, became the killer we have seen for the past 20 years. He went on a 15-0 run BY HIMSELF and put the Lakers up 3. Bryant went back in time, went into his prime, and took over the game. The Jazz went on to miss the next possession and Jordan Clarkson threw down a dunk to put the Lakers up 5 with 4.1 seconds. Bryant’s 15-0 run was classic mamba. It was amazing to watch this man, put on his show one last time in front of the world watching. One of the most incredible sports moments that we will witness for a long time.
Kobe Bryant finished his last game, 60 points, and in Kobe fashion, on 50 shots. Safe to say the Mamba’s career went out the right way, and the Lakers won, 101-96. He lived up to all the expectations of his Farewell Game, and this moment is certainly one I personally will never forget.
