This game marks the last time Bryant will ever play in a basketball game in Moda Center, as the legendary shooting guard plans to retire come the end of the 2015-2016 season.
For Bryant it wasn't his best performance in Portland, as he went 5-9 from the field for 10 points along with five turnovers in the 121-103 loss to the Blazers. Although the fans were encouraged it was Bryant's "night" knowing it was his last, Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers had other plans. The point-guard out of Weber State was scorching hot from the field, shooting 14-19 for 36 points including five three-pointers on the night.
Noting the loss in tonight's game for the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant finishes his career 6-26 overall in Portland. The young and talented Trail Blazers were to much for Bryant and his Lakers.
Bryant was quoted after the game saying "I have so many great memories here, most of the time I ended up on the losing side of things during the regular season.. The fans, the playoff battles... great memories. I just tried to take it all in tonight."
Although Bryant has lost many games including tonight's loss against the Blazers, he has hurt the Blazers in the past when it mattered the most. Dating back to the 1999-2000 season, when the dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and powerhouse center Shaquille O'neal were in full effect the Lakers were almost untouchable. Knocking off the Blazers in the 2000 western conference finals, Blazer fans will never forget that in game 7 Bryant led his Lakers down by 15 in the fourth quarter to come back and win.
Bryant will retire after this year and will have a memorable career to look back on. He has the record for second most points scored in a single game with 81 points. Bryant also was able to claim 5 NBA Championships over the course of his career.
In tonight's game, Bryant had the fans on their feet most of the game, and it seemed like anytime he had the ball in his hands the Blazer fans were ready to "boo."
Bryant was quoted after the game, "The boos every time I touch it, I absolutely love it." Bryant has built his career off of fans reactions, and fueled off fans that interacted with him.
As Bryant made his final exit off the floor Saturday night, a Blazer fan was quoted saying something to Bryant from the court-side seats "Man, I am going to miss hating you." Bryant wisely responded "I am going to miss loving the fact that you hate me."
At a glance:
When: 7:00 p.m, January 23 2016
Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR
Bryant was quoted after the game, "The boos every time I touch it, I absolutely love it." Bryant has built his career off of fans reactions, and fueled off fans that interacted with him.
As Bryant made his final exit off the floor Saturday night, a Blazer fan was quoted saying something to Bryant from the court-side seats "Man, I am going to miss hating you." Bryant wisely responded "I am going to miss loving the fact that you hate me."
At a glance:
When: 7:00 p.m, January 23 2016
Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR
Why: Kobe Bryant's last game ever in Portland
Funny Quotes: "The boos"/ Fans
Funny Quotes: "The boos"/ Fans
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