Last season for Kobe Bryant

Bryant has always tried to emulate his hero Michael Jordan, from his moves to his demeanor. “I know they’re booing but nonetheless it feels good to come home and play in front of the home crowd”, he said at the time.

“I’ve been disappointed this year because you guys (media) treated him like (expletive)”.

Injuries limited Bryant to 41 of a possible 164 games over the previous two seasons and he’s clearly not the same player as when he earned two NBA Finals MVPs and 17 all-star selections. When we play against him, obviously it’s going to be a honor in his previous year. “I think he still loves this game”. Lakers coach Byron Scott said he thought Bryant would have played on for at least another season.

“I never searched for the spotlight. I mean I’m glad I don’t have to face him anymore but you hate to see him go”. “You’re nearly kicking him out the league”.

“Games are important, but I’ll also have to watch him when the game is not going on, make sure he’s getting his rest”. The decision was not totally unexpected, given that Bryant has said many times in recent weeks that he was considering making his 20th National Basketball Association season his last. “Hell yeah I’m sensitive about everything involving it. I understand not playing well and stuff; that’s a part of it. But you can’t treat Kobe like he’s D’Angelo Russell when it comes to his coverage”. Games at the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz on Friday and Saturday were an exception, Holiday said, because he played only 13 minutes in Los Angeles, well below his limit.

“It’s going to be handsome”.

Despite his complicated relationship with Philly, his final game in the city of brotherly love has garnered plenty of excitement, especially from the young Sixers, composed of many players who grew up watching him play. “And he look at me and said, ‘Yes, sir.’ No argument”.

Bryant’s team is struggling with a 2-14 win-loss record, on pace for another lottery appearance.

In his poem on The Players’ Tribune, Bryant expressed his willingness to finally leave the game after spending his 20+ years career in the L.A. Lakers.

It was a special poem that wasn’t written to the fans, wasn’t written to the Lakers, wasn’t written to the Buss family or even written to his team; he wrote his poem to the game of basketball. “We both know, no matter what I do next, I’ll always be that kid, with the rolled up socks, garbage can in the corner, :05 seconds on the clock, ball in my hands”, he wrote.