Photo Credit: theodysseyonline.com
The legendary Los Angeles Lakers small forward Kobe Bryant went out with a bang, scoring 60 points, a season-high for the entire NBA, in his final career game at the Staples Center on Wednesday night. It was the 6th time in his career which he posted 60 or more points in a game. He went 22 for 50 from the field and made 6 for 21 shots from beyond the arc to lead the Lakes (17-65) over the Utah Jazz (40-42) by a score of 101-96. The Jazz had been eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the night with the Houston Rockets (41-41) 116-81 victory over the Sacrament Kings (33-49).
Bryant started in the NBA in 1996 after being selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, and has played a total of 20 seasons, all with the Lakers. He averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game over his career. In his final season, his averages were down, as he averaged just 17.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He is arguably the greatest NBA player of all-time and is a sure Hall of Famer.
In his illustrious NBA career, Bryant is a 5-time NBA champion, 2-time Finals MVP, 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player, 18-time NBA All-Star, 4-time NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, 11-time All-NBA First Team member, 2-time All-NBA Second Team member, 2-time All-NBA Third Team member, 9-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member, 3-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team member, 2-time NBA scoring champion, 1997 Slam Dunk Contest champion, 1997 NBA All-Rookie Second Team member, and he is the Los Angeles Lakers all time leader scorer. He sits 3rd all-time in total points scored in the NBA.
-Asher Fair
SportsPress 