The End Of An Era: Saying Goodbye To Kobe Bryant – blogged by @LoveRubyWoo

The year was 1996. A 17-year-old high school prodigy by the name of Kobe Bryant had just gotten traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, almost immediately after getting selected 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Draft. Being only the sixth player to get drafted to the pros straight out of high school, many people did not know what to expect of the talented teenager out of Philly. But it wasn’t long before Bryant proved to be one of the best decisions the Lakers had ever made. Over the next few years, he quickly emerged as a rising star, eventually becoming one of the greatest NBA players of all time.

With the hiring of former Chicago Bulls head coach Phil Jackson to lead the Lakers in 1999, Kobe’s abilities were taken to new heights. Under Coach Jackson, Kobe and teammate Shaquille O’Neal tapped into a powerful triangle offense strategy that few teams could defend and as a result, the legendary center-guard duo led the team to a three-peat in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Kobe became the youngest player ever to win three NBA championships. It was also during this period that he truly set himself apart as a one-of-a-kind player. 

Nicknamed The Black Mamba, we’ve watched in awe over the years as Kobe hit a multitude of unforgettable game-winning shots, became the youngest player to reach 30,000 points, scored 81 points in a single game, and led the Lakers to five NBA championships in total. He was also voted an NBA All-Star 18 consecutive times, won the NBA Finals MVP award twice, was named the NBA MVP in 2008, and he can even add two Olympic gold medals to his resumé. Still, even with all his accomplishments, it’s hard to truly measure all that he’s done. But one thing is for sure – he has inspired a countless number of players and fans alike over the past two decades and changed the game forever. 

Tonight marks the last game of Kobe’s incredible 20-year NBA career. The Lakers will be playing against the Utah Jazz on the final day of the regular season. While the game itself technically doesn’t mean much for the Lakers, as there are no playoff implications for the team, it will nonetheless be an exciting and emotional night for fans around the world. Millions of viewers will be tuned in as Kobe puts on a Lakers uniform and plays at the Staples Center one final time. And to Kobe, it means everything to him to be able to play his last game in Los Angeles.

Though the last few years of Kobe’s career have been clouded by disappointment and injury, as the Lakers have ended with a losing record and missed the NBA playoffs three years in a row, the negative moments pale in comparison to all of his achievements. Despite the less-than-ideal ending to his legacy, nothing will ever take away from all that he has given to the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA, and the game of basketball. 

So tonight, as we witness #24 take his last shot, as we hear the swish of his last basket, and as we watch him walk off the basketball court for the last time, let us never forget the many years of memories that he has given to us. 

Thank you Kobe!