Kobe Bryant's Last Game Brings Back Memories and Mixed Feelings

LOS ANGELES - April 13, 2016 - PRLog -- Tonight, unless he's pulling a Brett Favre on the sports world, Kobe Bryant will play his last game as a professional basketball player in the NBA. For the Lakers, who own the worst record in the Western Conference this year and the second worst in the NBA, the game is essentially meaningless outside of the historical significance surrounding Kobe's last appearance as a Laker. Sports news and social media channels have been increasingly attentive leading up to this last hoorah for Bryant. The occasion of his exit from the NBA causes everyone associated with the professional basketball world a chance to consider and weigh in, mentally or otherwise, on his contributions to the league and to society generally.

Kobe Bryant: The Basketball Legend

Even for those who hate him the most, it's hard to question what Bryant accomplished on the court over the 20 years he's been a pro. Drafted to the NBA 17 years old, Kobe is still the youngest player ever drafted into the league. Two years after beginning his career he became a starter in the NBA All-Star Game in 1998.

Over the course of his career, Kobe Bryant contributed significantly to 5 NBA championships for the Lakers, twice being named MVP of the finals. He was voted to the All-Star team 18 times out of the

So Good, But So Easy to Hate

While creating his legacy on the court, Kobe Bryant was also busy establishing reasons for lots of people, including loyal Lakers, to hate him. He often didn't get along with coaches and teammates. Phil Jackson, his coach for several years with the Lakers, later stated the he could feel Kobe's hatred for him.

Bryant developed a reputation as one who would rarely pass the ball and who took more shots than even his unique skill set and athleticism entitled him to. He was obviously conceited, arrogant, selfish, a guy who was hard to cheer for, especially for non-Lakers. He was definitely no Steph Curry in terms of reputation.

Then there was the rape incident. It will be impossible for the public to think about Kobe Bryant after his career has ended without thinking about (and wondering about closure) the drama that unfolded at a lodge in Colorado and in the courts before it finally disappeared with questions still not really answered.

Farewell Kobe

Sure, Kobe would rather be leaving the NBA under a much different scenario, maybe something similar to what the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry will experience tonight, a high stakes, potentially record-breaking game that will coincidentally overshadow and draw signficant attention from what will happen in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, with the highs and lows of Kobe's career, maybe it's fitting that it ends like this.

Richard Robbins, author of this article, is a co-owner and marketing director for HeadCoachSports.com - http://headcoachsports.com