Mamba Out

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of Kobe Bryant’s last game. What a game it was. In quintessential Kobe fashion, he took an insane amount of shots and tallied up an equally ludicrous 60 points. For presumably the first time in his career, he was getting told not to pass the ball. It was the perfect end to an unbelievable story, all starting with a young kid who had a dream to play basketball in purple and yellow. 20 years later, he walked into Staples Center to the loudest farewell party you can imagine. The perfect party for Kobe. One that includes working his ass off, playing for the people who have supported him, all in his hardwood home. A home where he had one last thing to give, a final chapter. 

The buzz had technically started months before, when he penned a perfect poem to basketball announcing his retirement. Although many fans had expected it, this made it real. Mamba was actually hanging up the jersey. For months people watched as he checked off his list of lasts, all leading up to his fireworks game on April 13th. That day was when the buzz really started. Standing outside of Staples Center, trying to take in every second of what was happening, I could feel the bevy of emotions swirling around this sea of Kobe fans. Months before, I had decided it was worth every penny to make this trip and watch what would be the most memorable sporting event of my life. Here I was with #24 on my back, laced up in rare pair of Kobe X’s, not even close to ready for what was about to happen. Anxiously waiting, trying to name each pair of shoes I spotted, making small talk here and there (mostly about shoes), the time had come. The doors opened. 

In an organized rush, tickets were scanned and patrons flooded the stadium receiving commemorative gift packages upon entrance. Making my way directly to the beer, I loaded up and then headed to my seat. Then the preamble. Magic Johnson came out to share some words, a reminiscent video was played, and all the celebrities assumed their usual seats on the floor. Just a few moments later, the ball was in the air, then on the floor and the game started. The Kobe show had begun. The roar behind every shot, every make, every touch of the ball was thunderous, and it only got better. As Kobe began to heat up, people began to realize this was more than a last game. This was history being made. Threes were sunk, pull-ups were drained, and extravagant layups found the net. There wasn’t a butt in the seat as Kobe staged a comeback, sank a go-ahead fadeaway in the last minute, and made his last bucket— a free throw to take him to 60 points. Incredible. Simply incredible.

I grew up watching Kobe. I was there for the three-peat, the Adidas years, the fro years, the Shaq years, the 4th and 5th ring, everything. Throughout all of those was one underlying thread that loudly echoed within every chapter — an undying work ethic. The countless hours in the gym, the constant pestering of greats for answers, the injuries, they were all crucial elements in this unique bond he shared with the game. I quickly found admiration in this, to idolize this aspect of him as the hardest worker in the room. And there he was, 5 rows away from me walking off the court with 60 points on the board, 21,000 fans chanting his name, signing off his final chapter as the hardest worker in the room. 

P.s. Let’s circle back to that “rare pair” talk shall we, I’m sure you’re curious about the details. Well here they are! An extremely limited pair of “HTM” Kobe X’s that only released in person at a boutique shop in Milan, Italy, they were then randomly released one afternoon in still highly limited quantities by Nike on their website. Getting extremely lucky, I scored a pair. While it’s not a pair I wear much, there couldn’t have been a more perfect occasion.