My Farewell to Kobe "Bean" Bryant

I’ve spent the past few weeks thinking about Kobe Bryant’s career and what he meant to not only the NBA, but the entire world. Putting his career into perspective, I’ve realized his final game in a Laker uniform embodies Kobe’s entire career.

About a month ago, I was procrastinating from my multitude of responsibilities. Usually when I get bored, I go to YouTube and watch something sports related. Could be some highlights, analysis, or old, but incredible sports moments.

On this day, I re-watched one of the most incredible sports moments, Kobe’s final 60-point game. I thought back to when I saw it live with close friends in college and how we were joking about how he was barely scoring more points than shot attempts (he scored 60 points on 50 shot attempts overall) and how the Lakers were down by 12 points with 9 minutes to go in the 4th, mostly because of Kobe’s struggles.

Then in typical Kobe fashion, none of that mattered. He scored 23 of the Lakers’ last 31 points leading them to victory. When it mattered, Kobe stepped up.

A month and a half ago, I cried re-watching this moment. Up until a couple weeks ago, a day hadn’t gone by where I didn’t cry thinking about Kobe’s career and legacy.

Kobe “Bean” Bryant was an uber-confident high schooler entering the 1996 NBA Draft. Like many potential NBA players coming out of high school, Kobe oozed potential. But there was something special about Bean, something special former Lakers General Manager Jerry West saw in Kobe leading to a draft night trade for the young prodigy.

Kobe modeled his entire being on Michael Jordan and wanted to be the guy from the very beginning. While Kobe’s rookie season wasn’t anything remarkable, he showed flashes of his potential and earned valuable minutes as a rookie. In his rookie season, Kobe and Shaq’s Lakers had a 2ndround matchup against the Utah Jazz. Utah was up 3-1, and in the pivotal game 5, Kobe air-balled 4 shots, one game winner and 3 shots in overtime.

Think about that. Kobe Bryant, the player known for his clutch heroics, air-balled four shots when it mattered most. But the fact Kobe had the gall to take those shots in the clutch as a rookie was telling of how highly he thought of his abilities and his unwavering confidence.

Fast forward 20 seasons, Kobe talked the talk and walked the walk winning 5 NBA championships and 1 MVP while becoming one of the most dominant scorers in NBA history.

When Kobe announced his retirement, the NBA lined up to provide the Mamba the send off he deserved.

Leading up to his last game against the Utah Jazz (remember them from before?), we all knew what was gonna happen. Kobe will be force fed the ball and take 1000 shots. But it didn’t matter. Basketball fans across the world were glued to every move hoping to see something special, and we did, though it took some time.

After 1 half, Kobe showed every bit of his 38 years old and 20 seasons in the NBA. Yeah he had 22 points, but he shot 7/20 from the field for 35% and went 2/9 from 3. The Lakers were also down 57-42 creating the perfect microcosm for Kobe’s final seasons.

Regardless of his injuries, loss of athleticism, or his age, the Black Mamba always played the same way. In Kobe's final three seasons, he averaged 17.9 ppg while shooting 38.5% from the field and 25.5% from 3. Out of 246 games, he played just 107. Yet his usage rate was a staggering 31.9%. Though Kobe was nowhere near the player he once was, his usage did not decline at all.

On top of this, the Lakers were a combined 65-181. As much as Kobe tried, he just didn’t

have the ability to carry lesser teams on his back.

Until he did.

Kobe exploded in the 2nd half scoring 38 points while shooting 15/30 (50%) from the field. Yet he saved his best for last scoring 23 in the 4th and shooting 8/16 and 3/5 from 3.

Kobe Bryant became Kobe Bryant one last time.

With the Lakers down 12 with 9:38 left to play, Jazz Center Jeff Withey catches the ball in the paint. He turns to face the rim and is met by Lakers Forward Larry Nance Jr. Nance swipes at the ball and takes it away from Withey. Nance pushes up the floor and finds guard Marcelo Huertas crossing half court. Huertas being the savvy point guard he is has his head up looking for Kobe. Kobe trails the play running down the left side. Huertas tosses Kobe the ball. Kobe pulls up about 2 feet behind the 3-point line.

Bang. 82-73.

These were Kobe’s first points of the 4th quarter, a fast break three when the Lakers needed a bucket. What followed was arguably the greatest performance by a player in his last professional game in all of sport. 23 points.

Kobe spent his entire career chasing, emulating, and replicating Michael Jordan who donned the famed 23. At his best, Bean was a spitting image of Jordan. His intensity, his drive, his fade away were akin to his Airness making it only fitting for Kobe at his best finish with 23 points in the 4th.

This final game represented Kobe’s career: the 1st half representing the last few difficult, gut-wrenching, and pain inducing seasons where Kobe’s will to compete was hindered by his ailing body and the 2nd half representing who Kobe Bryant truly was as a player.

I have my own opinions on where Bean ranks all time. But they don’t hide the fact Kobe was why I fell in love with basketball.

Since I lived in Memphis, most Laker games were on late at night. As a kid, my Mom would constantly tell me to go to bed, but I’d beg her for just another hour or two so I could watch Kobe play.

I remember Kobe’s insane game winner in the playoffs against the Suns, his takeover against the Raptors when the Lakers needed a win to keep playoff hopes alive, his 81-point game, and all of his clutch moments like it was yesterday.

When Kobe died, the world felt empty. The world stood still. But if there is one thing Kobe would’ve wanted, it’s for all of us to keep going.

I loved Kobe Bryant, and I always will.

May he, his daughter Gianna, and the other people who died tragically rest in peace.