On Wednesday, Kobe Bryant will play in his final NBA game when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center. Say what you will about his farewell tour, but after 20 years, five titles, 18 All-Star selections, two NBA Finals MVP trophies, and one Most Valuable Player award, Kobe will be sorely missed.
Earlier tonight, a tribute video titled "Fade to Black" written by Scoop Jackson and performed by Kendrick Lamar was released. The three-minute clip starts with Kendrick coming to the realization that the Black Mamba is really hanging it up for good. “It’s over, it’s really over. Kobe really retiring, that’s crazy," he says. "It’s a trip to even be doing this right now. Kobe really retiring.”
With "Untitled 07 | Levitate" playing in the background, Lamar takes it back to the first arena Kobe called home as a member of the Lakers, The Forum, before bestowing praise on "our one man L.A. king.” K. Dot goes on to rattle off some of his greatest moments in the purple and gold, like the 81-point game and the posterizations of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard, and concludes with one final thought.
“I’m talking about your blood, your sweat, your tears, even your DNA is placed in these L.A. concretes, man. Nothing will ever replace that or erase that. Forever great in our hearts. So, with that being said, it's never goodbye, simply respect due.”
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[via ESPN]
