This night is not normal, it could not be it. For its beginning, to what it means for the history of basketball, but especially for the epilogue. The Lakers won 101-96, Kobe Bryant scored 60 points (the oldest ever). A kind of Hollywood Filmon, saw the closeness of the Studios. A dream that comes true. The farewell evening, sealed by an incredible proof.
huge crowd – But proceed with order. A more than four hours of two-ball in front of the Staples Center beribboned for the occasion there are at least two thousand people waiting, chatting, make selfie. Lakers balloons, inflatable giant Kobe, the printed image on its Arena, the huge written become hashtag # ThankYouKobe , the avenue in front of the Arena already clogged with very broad advance. Even for the Finals, now a distant memory in these parts, had seen such chaos. “A Zircus”, as suggested by John Black, the P.R. Lakers, a mixture of a zoo and a circus.
waiting – the arrival of Kobe in the tunnel to go and get changed in the locker room has been sealed by the security cabinet. The rights are of ESPN , all others away. As well as the pre-match interview spoils of another station: exclusively. Byron Scott instead speaks to everyone and says profound things. When he was a boy and sat next to Kareem Abdul Jabbar and the great Kareem played the last race and he timidly asked the shoes. “I still remember, were L.A. Gear”, he says. The party has not even begun and the air is preposterous inside the Staples. They were placed on chairs by many thousands of dollars, black T-shirts with the inscription: “Love”. One for each of twenty thousand. The locker stormed, but Kobe naturally can not be seen. There is a book with a mocking title: Serial Killer . Then a diligent attendant puts a towel over and hey presto, it does disappear. Everything has to go smoothly without any hassle.
how many names – There are David Beckham, Ale Del Piero, Jack Nicholson, Jay Z and an endless series of medium-large and small star . Then it’s time the last “huddle”, the last entry on the parquet. Thus begins the long series of the last acts that for 20 years have been routine. And there’s the first chorus: “Kobe, Kobe,” a sort of thunder that must shake inside. The coup de theater of the Lakers: a curtain descends from the board and is projected video tribute. Then, as it did in Toronto, the word takes Magic Johnson. Rattles off the records, the great performance of his godson. Then it was the turn of thanks, they chose 15 great personalities who have meant so much in his career: Shaq, Fisher, LeBron (whistled), Steph Curry (applause) Wade, Carmelo, Garnett and even Jack Nicholson: “With Kobe, I my family had fun: lA loves you. ” And Popovich wishes him to find peace and serenity. He knows that after will be the most difficult moment. Kobe listens, stunned and smiling, as if discarding gifts. I am, because as he said after the tribute during the All Star, it’s always nice to hear the dedication of those who for years was your opponent. Then in the time-out will parade on the screen tens of other celebrity: Snoop Dog Taylor Swift, Ice Cube, James Worthy, Spike, Klay Thompson Paul Pierce (fischiatissimo), Doc Rivers. And his former teammates. And then even the stars of other sports, such as Nole Djokovic, John McEnroe, Beckham and Robbie Keane. Total, an endless list of friends, better than Facebook. Then it’s time to Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers who with his legendary run down the hymn and gives a shock, even there was a need for additional electricity.
60 pearls for the farewell – It’s the game, of course. Even a detail. Indeed, it had to be, but then inevitably becomes the story of the evening. Kobe scored 60 points, sixth time (though with 50 shots, 22/50 from the field, 6/21 for three in 42 ‘), scoring a goal in the 30 “overtaking from the siren, and then sealed the result with two free. true that the Jazz have no goals, because they learn just before the jump ball to be mathematically out of the playoffs, so there is only giving away the glory. that the number 24, of course. But Kobe will not unlock. it should be empty in its first four shots. it seems like a curse. it is the tension that gripped the arms and legs, he who never feared any kind of responsibility. it takes him 7 ‘to relax with a shot melee going in. they arrive more two in less than a minute. the Staples like, cries, gets excited. it ends the first period with 15 points, not bad. at the beginning of the 2nd quarter is not in the field, why not make the forecast 48 ‘, but there We will close. “We want Kobe” shouts who paid for the last reply. And Kobe enters with 6’38 “. Marks another 7 points in the 2nd quarter (2/7). The Jazz did not do discounts, just as he had requested. At least in the first part. Draw a few strokes of the ancient repertoire, many ups and a little ‘low. It’s still fun, his feints are those of the old Kobe, even the young. So the real gift he does he to the public. The triple at 9’31 “from the end of the hoist to 40 points. Then salt far beyond its limits, it goes to 56, the 25th time over 50, had not happened since 2009 (61 points against the Knicks). A 31″ by siren, ended his extraordinary career with that heavy shooting. He could not have hoped for a more appropriate final. And his harangue the crowd: “I’ve always been a Lakers fan. I love you all from the bottom of my heart.” Touches his chest, thanked his wife and daughters for the sacrifices made in these years. Gets excited, it’s the first time. Exclaims: “Hard to believe it was the last time. Yes, Mamba out .” Passes and closes. Sad, very sad.
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