Although the L.A. Lakers are in a season to forget at 16-65, tonight Kobe Bryant will play his final NBA game at home against the Utah Jazz. Kobe Bryant’s career has been one for me to remember.
Bryant was selected in the first-round in 1996. Originally picked by the Charlotte Hornets but was traded to the L.A. Lakers on draft day for Vlade Divac. In his rookie year, he appeared in 71 games scoring 7.6 points per game. That was just a taste of what he could do. Bryant was always an outstanding player but he hadn’t had the coach to take him to the next level. There was only one coach who could take the Lakers to that level, Phil Jackson.
Jackson took over the Lakers in the 1999-2000 season. Bryant thrived in the Triangle Offense immediately scoring 22.5 points per game. The Lakers ended up winning the NBA Championship, a string that lasted for two more seasons for a three-peat. The Lakers would go on to win two more NBA Championships and play in two more NBA Finals with Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson. Bryant was named the MVP of two of them.
To me, Bryant should go down as one of the best players to play this game. His accomplishments tell his story. He owns 5 NBA rings. Bryant was selected to the All-Star Game, 18 times and voted MVP of 4 of them. He was chosen onto the All-NBA First Team, 11 times and twice on the All-NBA Second Team. The one game I will never forget is when he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors which is the second most points in one game in NBA history. His teammates kept feeding him the ball and it seemed like he couldn’t miss.
Another area besides scoring that I will remember him for was defense. He didn’t want to be known as just a scorer but sought to assist his team defensively. Kobe was named on the All-Defensive First Team, nine times.
He was a leader who strived for excellence on the court. It is sad to see him ending his career on such a horrible team. The last accomplishment for him is to be enshrined into the Basketball Hall Of Fame which could occur in 2020.
How will you remember Kobe Bryant?
Well said, Jordan. George was a big Laker fan, and followed Kobe from the beginning. I’m watching tonight as well.
Thanks for the Reply Kit. Should be one great game and memories from him to last a lifetime.
81 points in one game!
Thanks Joseph for the replay. Yeah it was a great game. He could have had 100 if he wanted put took himself out. Jordan Long sport
I’ll remember Kobe for getting away with sexually assaulting the woman in Eagle, CO.