Kobe given royal send-off, hailed as 'inspiration'
LOS ANGELES — Thousands of fans gathered outside Staples Center hours before Kobe Bryant‘s final game Wednesday night, creating a scene reminiscent of a championship celebration. Enormous photos of iconic moments from his 20-season NBA career graced the walls outside the arena with the hashtag #ThankYouKobe.
But inside the arena, a sold-out crowd showered Bryant with love and adoration as lengthy video tributes played before the Lakers faced the Utah Jazz.
“He never cheated us as fans,” Lakers icon Magic Johnson said as he addressed fans before the game. “He has played hurt, and we have five championship banners to show for it.”
Johnson then introduced a moving tribute video that featured messages from Shaquille O’Neal, Derek Fisher, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Gregg Popovich, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Kevin Garnett, Phil Jackson and Jack Nicholson, a longtime Lakers fan.
“It’s been great watching you, and I hope you’ve enjoyed it half as much as me and my family have,” Nicholson said in the video. “You’ve been an inspiration to us all, and L.A. loves you.”
O’Neal, Bryant’s former Lakers teammate, called Bryant “the greatest Laker ever.”
A smiling Bryant then walked to center court and waved to the fans, who were on their feet, cheering as loudly as they have all season.
Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter introduced Bryant in the starting lineup, noting that it was for “the final time” as deafening cheers rained down from the crowd.
Before the game, at around 5:15 p.m., Bryant walked down a hallway in the arena toward the Lakers’ locker room. He wore a black suit, black shirt and black tie. Surrounded by more than a dozen video cameras, Bryant told dozens of reporters standing behind a barricade in the hallway that his goal for the night was to “just have some fun.”
“This is his night, and we want him to enjoy it as much as possible,” said Lakers coach Byron Scott, who added that Bryant will essentially play as many minutes and take as many shots as Bryant wants.
Before the game, Bryant and his wife were presented with special retirement rings from Lakers president and governor Jeanie Buss.
Before his final game, @JeanieBuss presented Kobe & Vanessa w/ special retirement rings: https://t.co/rE3B67U3Ev pic.twitter.com/HHGdtoOzUR
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 14, 2016
Bryant gifted each of his teammates commemorative shoes and jerseys.
“It’s nuts,” Lakers rookie forward Larry Nance said of the environment. “It feels like a concert.”
Flea, the bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, played the national anthem Jimi Hendrix-style.
During a first-quarter timeout, another video tribute was played, featuring messages from several musicians, including Snoop Dogg, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Flea, John Legend, Ice Cube, Kanye West and Justin Bieber.
Serena Williams congratulated Bryant via Twitter, writing, “You inspire every athlete for a lifetime.”
#kobebryant I’m in tears. Congrats Kobe Bryant. You inspire every athlete for a lifetime. https://t.co/Vxghfe1c7I
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) April 14, 2016
An estimated 450-500 media members were credentialed for the game.
