On Sunday night, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers headed into his 18th and final NBA All-Star Game. Bryant announced his intention to retire after the 2015-16 NBA season back in November. As a result, the NBA felt it fitting to honor the future Hall of Famer with a tribute.
Lakers legend Magic Johnson set up the tribute video for Bryant at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Paul George, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Andre Drummond helped paid tribute to the NBA legend via The Cauldron:
Along with all his individual accolades earned with the Lakers, Bryant holds some impressive records in NBA All-Star Game.
Entering Sunday’s game in Toronto, Kobe has scored more points than any other player (280), needs one more steal to pass Michael Jordan’s 37 and is tied for the most All-Star Game MVPs with Bob Pettit (4).
Needless to say, Bryant has left his mark on the game both with the Lakers and against the best and brightest the NBA has had to offer in the All-Star Game over the past two decades.
Following his 15th All-Star appearance, Bryant will get back to work with the Lakers next week against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday at the Staples Center. Kobe has only 17 home games and a total of 27 games in a Lakers uniform with his final game set to be played on April 13 against the visiting Utah Jazz.