Watch: Kobe 'didn't want people to be sad' during final game
.@kobebryant on his final NBA game: "I didn't want people to be sad." (Watch) #SportsAndEnt https://t.co/LJEDm2KRLJ
— Variety (@Variety) July 14, 2016
It was a touch over three months ago when Kobe Bryant graced the Staples Center with his presence on the hardwood one final time as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.
In a finale befitting of his legendary career, Bryant torched the Utah Jazz to the tune of 60 points on 22-of-50 shooting from the field and 6-of-21 from behind the arc in 42 minutes of action.
"I just remember being extremely excited," Bryant said of his final game during a Sports and Entertainment Summit on Thursday. "There was a kind of sadness that was kind of coating Staples Center, and I didn't wanna have that. I didn't want people to be sad, because I wasn't sad. I was happy. I wanted to make sure I gave them something to celebrate versus be sad over."
His 60-point onslaught made Bryant the oldest player in NBA history at 37 years old to ever score that much in a single game. His 50 shot attempts were also a career high.