“I can’t believe this actually happened to be honest with you” Lakers’ superstar, Kobe Bryant
It is hard to imagine that after everything Kobe Bryant has accoplished, the 2016-17 will represent the first time in two decades that the Los Angeles Lakers go without their knight in shining armor.
The offseason for the Purple and Gold has gotten off to a great start — beginning with the hiring of Luke Walton to retention of their second overall draft pick — however, what started it all was Kobe Bryant’s amazing last game in which he lit up the scoreboard for 60 magical points.
Time Warner Cable’s segment Backstage Lakers has always done an amazing job at delivering fans points of view they were never able to see before and they did so again, this time for Kobe’s last game against the Utah Jazz on April 13.
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To start the show, Kobe described his performance just as many fans watching did, “just like a dream.” In addition to seeing the behind the scenes footage, it was also fun seeing the how the fans reacted to Mamba Day.
Even before the game, fans lined the streets at Nokia Center and on Figueroa Street as if the Los Angeles Lakers had brought home yet another championship, but instead it was all just for number 24.
Reporter, Jim Hill may have said it best, that this is the type of atmosphere you get in the NBA Finals, not for a player’s last game.
From the presentation of a special commemorative ring by team president, Jeanie Buss, to Kobe’s final departure from the STAPLES Center, be warned the video is a tearjerker for true fans of the Purple and Gold.
Kobe set the tone for the night in his pregame speech to the team saying
"Listen, last game… you all need to play hard. That’s what I want.My last game, don’t worry about nothing else, competing. If you play your heart out, play to exhaustion, every single possession. That’s how I want this last game to be.Play your heart out, man! Just like we always did when growing up. This game will be here and then it’ll be gone. Right, this last game let’s go hard as hell, every single time down. Alright?"
You always hear stories of Kobe’s amazing work ethic but the fact that his actions backed up exactly what he said directly affirms the tales.
Next: Jordan Clarkson on Free Agency: 'I Want to Stay in LA'
Kobe’s playing days may be over but we will always appreciate and remember everything that he did for the city of Los Angeles and the Lakers. So for the millionth time, #ThankYouKobe