LOS ANGELES — I came to say goodbye to a legend. Kobe Bryant refused.
It was too soon, by three weeks. And Kobe Bryant, as you might know, does everything on his own terms. Even goodbyes.
It was March 22, Game 70 of the Mamba Farewell Tour. The Lakers were playing the Grizzlies at Staples Center, the shimmering edifice where Bryant raised five banners.
I covered the first three of those championships, and seven seasons in all, as the Lakers beat writer for the L.A. Daily News. I live in New York now, but I was back in town for a day; I decided to take the opportunity to say thanks, and goodbye, to the most compelling and complex athlete I've known.
I had no plans to return for Kobe's finale. Flying cross-country for one game seemed impractical.
That's what I tried to tell him, anyway.
"What?!" Kobe bellowed, glaring and smiling simultaneously. "You can't be here at 17 and not be here for f--kin' 37, man!"
Seventeen being Kobe's age when he turned pro. Thirty-seven being his age now.
"Come on, man!" he scolded, chuckling. "Finish the journey, man!"
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Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Howard Beck
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April 14th, 2016 by Howard Beck Leave a reply »
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