Farewell My Friend Bryant leaves it all on the court

When someone shoots a piece of paper from beyond the rim into the trash, they yell that timeless phrase, “Kobe”.
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers has officially played his last game in the NBA. Kobe’s final game against the Utah Jazz had fans around the world grieving as if someone close to them had died.
In fact, someone did die. The tenacious, entertaining snake, otherwise known as the “Black Mamba” played his last game at the Staples center on April 13. No one died literally, but figuratively fans around the nation grieved over a big loss. When Kobe played in his last game, a part of the NBA died. His legacy will be cherished forever.
Why is he so important you ask? Well Mr. Bryant is the first guard to play 20 seasons and the first player to play 20 seasons with one franchise. He is a 17 time all-star, 11 time first team all NBA and has received five NBA titles during the span of his career while also leading the Olympic team USA to two gold medals. Not only was Bryant a scorer, but he was a defensive stopper as well. He is a 12-time defensive team and is ranked 14 all time in steals.
Over the last 20 years Kobe Bryant has evolved the game of basketball. While he was just a senior in high school, Bryant was surrounded by a buzz that just couldn’t seem to be quite. Everyone wanted to know if he would start a college career or head straight to the NBA. In 1996, Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the thirteenth overall draft pick, but was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers courtesy of Jerry Bus. This trade might have been the best decision in Bus’ career because Kobe led the Lakers to five NBA titles.
Although Bryant is infamous for his cheating scandal, he has also changed the game of basketball and the City of Angels forever. He has two children with his wife Vanessa Bryant. Crazy how just a few years ago fans were chanting “MVP” when he shot free throws and now his career is over. His final game was played on April 13, 2016, which is also unofficially Black Mamba day. Kobe was given a tribute at almost every away game but none could compare to his last game at the Staples Center.
Laker legends including Shaquille O’Neal, Phil Jackson, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom and Magic Johnson all congratulated Kobe on his accomplishments before he stepped foot on the court just one last time. Bryant scored 60 points against the Utah Jazz to lead the Lakers to a victory just one final time. The most cherishing moment was Kobe scoring 60 points in this game and he is one of the oldest players in the game to score that many points in a single game at that age.
That impact made the fans roar for an eternity.
He inspired many players from many generations and even initiated a change into the hearts of players in the lockers.
After the game, Kobe spoke to crowd “I can’t believe how fast these 20 years went by…” Fans cannot believe it either, for the millennial, he is one of the greatest players of all time.
His legacy will live on forever, may the ball always dribble in your court.