After Kobe made the announcement this season would be his last, every “last game” against a road opponent became a chance for that team (and, on April 13th, the Lakers) to pay tribute to Kobe in some way shape or form. Some teams did nothing at all, but others took the chance to say “thank you” in some way.
Maybe it was a highlight montage, a former teammate or longtime opponent speaking about playing with/against him, a special lineup introduction, or a shout-out during a quarter break or timeout. What I have tried to do is find every tribute video put together for Kobe and have it live below. If I missed one, let me know. Enjoy.
Dear Kobe… #KB20https://t.co/8gqsAbGaSn
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 2, 2015
.@Lakers #Respect #WizLakers pic.twitter.com/JKkrBQEmCG
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 3, 2015
Thanks for the memories, Kobe!
Here’s our tribute video that just played in the arena:https://t.co/D2iMvDEsR6
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 5, 2015
This was cool, Detroit. https://t.co/rcxeCAqWY6
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) December 7, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siQpB7EURLk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob9DRcfKJCU
Thank You, @kobebryant. #KB20https://t.co/dg7iobdKnZ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 7, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMwTHj-ys4s
https://youtu.be/fvsRZeLu4jg
LOVE / HATE – Thank You @KobeBryanthttps://t.co/QxsTwrNxdU
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 29, 2016
Some love, some hate and all respect in Pelicans tribute to Kobe
(via @PelicansNBA) #MambaFarewellTourhttps://t.co/DNklDYufmo— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 9, 2016
The Thunder played a great tribute to Kobe before his final introduction in OKC.
Via @FOXSportsOKhttps://t.co/Sev9H2bmR4
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) April 12, 2016
Anonymous says
Boston has about just as much cap space this summer as the Lakers. Its already been mentioned that the Celts will most certainly pitch to KD. I was talking to a friend from New Hampshire and he indicated that the Celtics will also go all out for Whiteside.
I hate to imagine Boston adding KD and Whiteside to their young core, plus Brad Stevens, plus all those picks (3 in the top 23 and 5 in top 35) which can be used by Ainge (who isn’t afraid to deal) to make the team better.
I think the East is wide open. I truly believe that Cleveland has a window of this year and then they’ll fall apart. So KD moving to Boston would change the basketball landscape for the next 5+ years.
Yikes!
Gary says
Its been said that before that the Celtics are closer to winning their next championship than we are. Unfortunately, its true.
I disliked Ainge as a player but really like him as a GM. He did the anti-Jeanie move by trading KG and Pierce, crowd favorites, a year early and netting gift lottery picks in the process. He had the vision to look at Brad Stevens and grab him before he became a huge NBA target — now he has the best young coach in the league.
He traded veterans and seemingly in every deal he came out ahead — sometimes taking on a short term liability along with a pick and other times taking a player with an eye to flip him in another future deal.
In other words he made something out of nothing. An aged, capped out team has been transformed into a team on the cusp of doing some really special things. I mean the Lakers and the Celtics started out at the same place three years ago and now look at the franchises — same amount of cap space but one has a definite feeling of future promise while the Lakers are still very much holding their collective breaths about the present.
Clay Bertrand says
Cmon now,
KOBE – 20 Years w/ Lakers – 6 Finals Appearances – 5 Rings.
KG – 6 Years w/ Celtics – 2 Finals Appearances – 1 Ring.
PP – 15 Years w Celtics – 2 Finals Appearances – 1 Ring.
Kobe, has a cult following. Trading Kobe would have netted the franchise a HUGE HAUL of assets. And the Buss family would now be in hiding somewhere in Bolivia.
Your point is not lost on me though. Let’s see what they do this off season with no MAMBAGENDA.
JJ says
I think you guys are posting on the wrong thread. It looks like Lakers fans are still patting themselves on the back about their retired hero as opposed to comparing ourselves with a franchise that has been aggressive in crafting their own future. Who wants to be reminded about all the things we didn’t do right these last three plus years.