LA Lakers basketball player, Kobe Bryant’s career comes to a close today. Bryant announced his retirement from basketball in November.
A perfectly scripted finale will see Bryant play his 1,566th and final game as the Lakers host the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center for what is certain to be an emotionally charged occasion.
A sell-out 18,000-capacity crowd packed with celebrities will be on hand to salute the last game of the 37-year-old Bryant’s two-decade career.
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Around 30 of Bryant’s former teammates from different generations led by Shaquille O’Neal will be in attendance to honor the star while Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Flea will play the national anthem.
Lakers coach Byron Scott has indicated that Bryant will be given as much time as possible before signing off.
“I’m thankful,” Bryant told the daily. “I’m not sad at all. I left no stone unturned, I gave everything to the game for 20 years in the NBA and more before that. So I feel very thankful to be able to play this game this long.”
Bryant will retire with five NBA titles, having secured his place not only among such Lakers icons as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Jerry West but also in the pantheon of NBA greats presided over by Michael Jordan.
Tickets for Bryant’s farewell are the hottest in basketball history, according to online exchange Stubhub.com, which listed exclusive courtside seats beloved of A-list stars at an eye-popping $17,000.
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