Kobe Bryant: Lakers’ Star Has First Post-Retirement Interview w/ Ellen

Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) smiles as he addresses the crowd after the Lakers defeat of the Utah Jazz in the final game of his career at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) smiles as he addresses the crowd after the Lakers defeat of the Utah Jazz in the final game of his career at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Just two weeks removed from his incredible farewell performance with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant has finally given his first post-retirement interview

Ironically, it was not ESPN or Good Morning America who got the honors of doing Kobe Bryant‘s first post retirement interview, but rather, Ellen Degeneres and The Ellen Show.

During the short five minute segment, the two touch briefly on a variety of subjects including his last game, his kid’s reaction to the performance, whether or not he can dance, and even his dynamic relationship with Shaquille O’Neal.

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The team over at The Ellen Show also prepared a quick highlight video of Kobe’s greatest moments in the league including some acrobatic shots against the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder, alongside his memorable hammer dunk on crosstown rival and Los Angeles Clipper, Chris Paul.

Possibly one of the most revealing things from the rather basic interview was when Ellen asked Kobe how many times he has watched his old highlights.

"Umm.. I probably… a few times. . . You know but I’m such a basketball nerd. Like I went back and watched it and I’m picking apart, ‘my footwork was wrong there’. Or, ‘I should have done that’… I was like, ‘Well, there’s no backsies now,’ so it really doesn’t matter at this point"

It is good to see Kobe Bryant, the basketball nerd, seems to be at peace with his decision to retire, a decision which was made a whole lot easier when he dropped 60 points in his final outing.

Next: How the Warriors' System Could Succeed in LA

During the last games of his Farewell Tour, the Black Mamba encouraged his younger teammates to, “leave no stone unturned,” and it appears that he is taking this advice with him into retirement.

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