Kobe Bryant Discussion: Mamba Out!

My take from inside Staples Center...

What I will remember most is the Time Out taken with 3:46 left in the 4th Qtr.
Lakers were down 93-84 and seemed to just not be able to catch Utah.
Kobe already had 40+ points, so everyone could have left feeling more than satisfied... But they were Not.

When the buzzer sounded for the teams to resume play, every person in that crowd rose to their feet & gave Kobe the 1st True Standing Ovation of the Night.
Yes, there had been several lengthy ovations & chants all game long, but they all seemed to be part of the Ceremony & more out of respect & gratitude.
This was different.. The crowd wanted this game.. They wanted Kobe to be Kobe one last time.
It felt different. It wasn't a farewell gesture... It was a rally cry.. & Kobe Felt it too and he fed off of it.

From that point, he went on to go 5 for 5 from the field, 4 for 4 from the line, had two key assists while hitting the go ahead game winner from exactly where he wanted it. The right elbow.

For those three minutes. Kobe was the Mamba again, Laker Pride was restored
& Staples Center Rocked like it had before.

Most amazing game & atmosphere I've ever experienced..

Thank You Kobe
You will never be forgotten.

 

Wow ^^^ I got goose bumps just reading that. Seriously. The hard core among us can imagine the energy you just described. It was coming through on the TWSN telecast and seeing Kobe's teammates go out of their minds with the excitement when he kept doing this impossible thing. Was screaming at home with the thrills of each huge shot and the moment when that score started looking like it could actually turn into a win. That is right up there or surpasses Kirk Gipson's HR game 1 WS 1988 against Oakland with Vin Scully's call. Greatest moment ever until what Kobe did last night. Both were freaking impossible. Gibson had 2 jack up legs and hadn't even played in the damn game. Transcendental .....you'll always remember where you were L.A. sports moment. And you were there!! Props. Thanks for that description. :Headbang:

 

What am I missing .... how can I view that much larger?

 

Been reading most of the posts after sharing the joy of that game with my wife and friends out in LA last night - and have to chime in

1. I won't call Utah out for missing all those shots and having some 'odd' turnovers down the stretch - even if there was a bit of Hollywood Magic to this night - Mamba made 22 shots (many contested), and hit the 'go ahead' shot with less than a minute left with the lakers down one. Even if there was some 'scripting' of this game - to make the night what it was - Kobe has to hit the shot like he has time and again in his storied NBA career - nothing but net.

2. Kobe was gassed and played his *ss off and hit the shot (point no 1) and several three's down the stretch to raise his shooting percentage for the game by virtue of his 4th quarter performance. Hell if it had gone to OT - he would have ended up with 70!

3. Even if Kobe was saying some things that were 'off' in his post game speech (like he did not 'run' er Clippers, Detroit, Chicago FA 07), he finished strong - Mamba Out. (mike drop). See point one above. All that needs to be said.

4. No matter what happens this season with the LA Clippers and Houston in the playoffs - no one is going to be talking about them and everyone will be talking about a meaningless game between Utah and LA (Game 82 of the Season). Lakers fans are real basketball fans and know how to celebrate and get behind their team - and we have had their back even during this terrible season because we act like we have been there before - because we have and we know we will be there again. (Cue shots of Robert Horry's reaction to hitting the shot against Sacto and the crowd reaction)

5. Someone else posted it but it bears repeating based upon what Kobe said in the post game interviews (e.g. 'thank you for all you have said positive and negative because it inspired me'). Putting Lakers on ESPN2 - check. Kobe's 60 in game 82 being 1 point more than AD's 59 (tops in league for regular season). Check. Kobe at 37 outscored Curry's night by 14 points. Check. Do you think Mamba was 'inspired'? Check.

Thank you Mamba for 20 years of night's like last night and the 'others' who have a hand in making that possible.

 

So Long Kobe Thanks For the Memories I'll Miss You! You were My Hero!

 

What was off about that? Kobe never ran. He demanded a trade after 2006-2007 because of the frustration with not being able to win a championship because of an awful supporting cast.

 

Me and my buddies all lost our voices today from yelling so much last night. This was the best farewell in sports history. Last night might
be my best laker memory of all time for me. The grit, passion and desire to win. Man, im gonna miss him.

 

You know all last night i never cried once but i did get emotional. Watching this video i cried for first time. Shaq and Kobe are both gone...

 

Did you really say grit?

 

One of my favorite moments from last night.

 

"So where were you when the Warriors set the regular season record with 73 wins?"

"Oh ya know... chillin' at home... watchin' Kobe drop 60 points in his last game ever."

 

Anyone have the pregame intro video?

 

Great tweets from other players

 

Speechless. 60 points? A vintage Mamba close? Has to be a movie.