Kobe Bryant hits big shot late during final game in Boston

In the final game of his career in Boston, Kobe Bryant scored 15 points and helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112-104 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday (Thursday in Australia). As a subpar player on a bad team, Kobe Bryant won’t be enjoying a Goldilocks retirement.

Opposing team venues have mostly greeted Bryant with video tributes. He hates it but reveres it, and on Wednesday was rewarded for it.

Celtics fans, though, weren’t done with him. When he received a pass. When he methodically backed defenders down in the post. He then bowed to the fans, who both cheered and jeered him. “For me, going through that with Kareem and knowing how the fans were every time we came here, I was a little surprised they showed that type of love”. Kobe Bryant recorded his first double-double of the season – he had 15 points and 11 rebounds – and the 173rd of his career. Clarkson erupted for a team-high 24 points against the Celtics, and has yet to come off the bench this year. Then Bryant hugged his family on the sideline and Celtics opponents at midcourt. He clasped his hands together and took a bow before walking off the court.

But just because Bryant doesn’t want anything to be different, doesn’t mean other teams don’t – especially those that have long looked at Bryant and the Lakers as their rivals, such as the Celtics.

The plaque also featured an inscription that read, “In recognition of your many legendary performances on the Parquet floor”.

Certainly, this wasn’t the same Bryant, but there seemed to be a concerted effort by Crowder and the Celtics not to get lost in the euphoria of Bryant’s last visit.

The Lakers then won consecutive National Basketball Association championships against Orlando (2009) and Boston (2010), while Bryant won two Finals MVP awards. Randle scored 15 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and four assists, while Russell added 16 points.

The Celtics beat the Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals with a commanding Game 6 victory in Boston behind a newly constructed roster headlined by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Bryant said he could hear the haunting percussion through the walls in the locker room and knew that game time was near. And when I see that, I have nothing but respect for him. He tore his rotator cuff on a dunk as well. “I’ll scan the crowd a lot and try to soak it all in as much as possible”.

Looking at it from the season’s standpoint, the Lakers are struggling with a 5-27 record and dead last in the Pacific Division. Being able to say “thank you” to the fans – it was a lovely moment.