Kobe Bryant last game is tonight!! #Mambaday
All day long crowed big supporters outside at the Staples Center to see him go. Thousands of fans gathered outside 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.
Stars come out to say goodbye to Kobe Jay-Z, Kanye West, David Beckham ,and former Laker girl Paula Abdul were among the many celebrities in attendance for Kobe Bryant’s final NBA game.
“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, sources told.
Johnson then introduced a moving tribute video aired before the national anthem, featuring 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.
In a scene reminiscent of a championship celebration, thousands of fans gathered outside and inside a sold-out Staples Center to show their appreciation for Kobe Bryant before his final game. Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo
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.
At around five o’clock Bryant showed up i a black suit, black shirt and black tie, walked down a hallway in the arena toward the Lakers locker room. Speaking to dozens of reporters standing behind a barricade in the hallway, Bryant, surrounded by more than a dozen video cameras, said his goal for the night was “just have some fun.”
