Kobe is gone!

[Iceman]

I hate Kobe as much as anyone, but that guy is completely broken down, held together by pins and needles and still shot 44% in getting 60, while leading his team back from a ten point 4th quarter deficit to win the game, going 5-5 from the field and 4-4 from the line in the fourth... in his last game at home. Naysay it all you want, but that was a pretty incredible performance and the perfect encapsulation of his entire career... ball hogging, clutch shots... and getting lots of calls against a bad team.

I agree with you. Even though he shot pretty much every shot in that game for the Lakers, he still had to make the shots. Plus, he did come through in the clutch when they needed him to. Not a Kobe fan by all means, but it was cool to see a legend end his last game like he did. It's just like how we all dreamt as a little kid to be there for the game winning shot or be the one to win the game and have everyone chanting your name. Fairy tale ending

 

[sunsfan88]

I agree with you. Even though he shot pretty much every shot in that game for the Lakers, he still had to make the shots. Plus, he did come through in the clutch when they needed him to. Not a Kobe fan by all means, but it was cool to see a legend end his last game like he did. It's just like how we all dreamt as a little kid to be there for the game winning shot or be the one to win the game and have everyone chanting your name. Fairy tale ending

Not only that but I don't think people realize how hard it is to actually even get 50 shots off. I remember Phil Jackson a year or ago said how people complain about Kobe shooting too much but that it was impressive how he consistently got his shots off even when opposing players were playing him incredibly tight because they knew he was shooting it. And I don't buy that the Jazz quit trying after learning of their playoff fate because which team would want to be on the other end of the highlight reel of a game that's gonna played over and over again for ages? I know Hayward, their best player who did play and guarded Kobe many times, said regardless of playoff outcome they wanted to end the year with a win but Kobe was just too locked in.

That whole atmosphere was just amazing. Like you said, absolutely fairytale ending.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Not only that but I don't think people realize how hard it is to actually even get 50 shots off. I remember Phil Jackson a year or ago said how people complain about Kobe shooting too much but that it was impressive how he consistently got his shots off even when opposing players were playing him incredibly tight because they knew he was shooting it. And I don't buy that the Jazz quit trying after learning of their playoff fate because which team would want to be on the other end of the highlight reel of a game that's gonna played over and over again for ages? I know Hayward, their best player who did play and guarded Kobe many times, said regardless of playoff outcome they wanted to end the year with a win but Kobe was just too locked in.

That whole atmosphere was just amazing. Like you said, absolutely fairytale ending.

I thought they looked motivated for part of the first quarter and then not at all from that point forward. Some of that might have been the confusion that happens when you're playing without 4 key players but whatever, that was NOT the Jazz defense we're all used to seeing.

 

[Neo]

Fairy tales don't end with the protagonist's team finishing second to last in the league. Protagonists in fairy tales are not selfish, misanthropic jerks who cripple their organization.

As a Suns fan, I wish the Lakers could always have a end of career Kobe on their team. He sucked the life out of an organization that I have despised since I was in 4th grade, and for that I am grateful.

 

[Chaplin]

You're wildly missing the point, I don't care who shoots.

People are comparing what happened in a game that didn't matter, where people played like it didn't matter and saying it is this amazing historical achievement that eclipses what other players did in competitive situations that flat out preclude playing like they're in a side show. THAT is my issue.

Except that game DID matter, simply because it was Kobe Bryant's last game.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Except that game DID matter, simply because it was Kobe Bryant's last game.

In my opinion, most great players known for their scoring ability would love to go out scoring a ton of points and helping their team win a game - regardless of the team's record for that season.

Of all the greats, prior to this final game, the highest scoring final game was by John Havlicek with 29 points versus Buffalo many years ago. In all, I believe only 5 or 6 other great players have scored over 20 in their final game.

Love or hate the guy, it is still a big accomplishment.