Watch Kobe Bryant’s final player introduction for the NBA All-Star Game ever
Sunday night was always going to hold a ton of pomp and circumstance around Los Angeles Lakers guard forward Kobe Bryant in Toronto as he took the floor for his final time playing in the NBA All-Star Game.
However, fans didn’t quite realize just how much the NBA and the city of Toronto was going to do for Kobe in his last All-Star Game. After a tribute in the pre-game NBA Tip-Off show on TNT, the league then gave Bryant a bit more time for his player introduction in what turned out to be a special moment, one of many:
"#KobeBryant. One last time. #NBAAllStarTO https://t.co/zpYe0F3yUo— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 15, 2016"
The best part about the intro (other than Drake looking like a dork trying to be a hype man, predictably) is the music and the horns surrounding Kobe’s intro. Not only was it different music than the rest of the players, but it really set the tone for how much respect the league and players were showing to Bryant on Sunday night.
Perhaps the best—and most surprising—thing about all of the happenings on Sunday night and throughout Kobe’s farewell tour, though, has been the humility that the Black Mamba has shown. He’s obviously soaking every moment in, but it’s still incredible to watch a man with Bryant’s personality type react like he has.
There aren’t many players in the NBA who have or will earn this type of respect from the rest of the league when they are on their way out of the league. However, Kobe is wholly deserving of this whole ordeal. He’s one of the all-time greats and this is only treating him as such.
Next: WATCH: NBA Tip-Off Airs Emotional Kobe Tribute
This was only the start to a truly memorable night for Lakers fans regarding Kobe.