NBA stars pay tribute to Kobe Bryant
Former and current National Basketball Association (NBA) stars paid tribute to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant on Thursday (Philippine time) as he caps off his 20-year career.
Bryant ended his stellar NBA career on a high note scoring 60 points, including the go-ahead basket, in his final game wearing the Lakers jersey against the Utah Jazz, 101-96.
Bryant's output set the all-time record for most points by a player in the final game of his career.
Chicago Bulls center and Spanish national team mainstay Pau Gasol, who was among the Lakers alumni featured in Bryant's tribute video, gave his last word for his former teammate in English and Spanish.
Clippers power forward Blake Griffin thanked the Black Mamba for a "lifetime of memories, motivation and inspiration".
thank you for a lifetime of memories, motivation and inspiration. #mambaday
A photo posted by Blake Griffin (@blakegriffin32) on
San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker said, "Heroes come and go, but legends are forever".
@kobebryant "Heroes come and go, but legends are forever." #mambaday #respect ????????
A photo posted by Tony Parker (@_tonyparker09) on
Apr 13, 2016 at 12:52pm PDT
Draymond Green of Golden State thanked Kobe for "20 game changing years".
A photo posted by Draymond Green (@money23green) on
Future NBA legend LeBron James called out Bryant for being a nice guy.
Carmelo Anthony posted a dugout picture of him lighting up Kobe's cigar following their gold medal win in the London Olympics.
Pelicans center Anthony Davis kept his message simple: "Thank you, Sir" with a picture of him with Bryant during pre-game shoot around in an All-Star game.
Thank you sir! #MambaDay #Legend #KB20 pic.twitter.com/wI7yZk8maZ
— Anthony Davis (@AntDavis23) April 13, 2016
Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade posted a picture of his family with Kobe.
German 'panzer' Dirk Nowitzki on Twitter paid tribute to Bryant, saying "he had it all".
Talent. Passion. Dedication. Killer instinct. He had it all. #MambaDay
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) April 13, 2016
Former Knicks coach Derek Fisher, who once shared the Laker backcourt with Kobe, said of the retiring legend, "you changed the game and my life".
A photo posted by Derek Fisher (@dereklfisher) on
NBA legend and former leader of the Laker showtime, Earvin "Magic" Johnson posted a victory photo of the Kobe-led purple and gold and said "I've enjoyed every minute of your career".
.@kobebryant I've enjoyed every minute of your career. #ThankYouKobe for all of the fantastic memories! #MambaDay pic.twitter.com/W6X0S9kdOu
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 13, 2016
Clippers coach Doc Rivers on Instagram said, "I had the honor of spending the worst and best days of my basketball life with him".
A photo posted by Doc Rivers (@docrivers) on
Retired NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal posted a mix highlight video of partnership with Bryant, saying "The good times! Best 1-2 punch of all time! Thanks for the memories Kobe".
Even the "demigods" of other sports paid tribute to the Black Mamba.
Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo - considered as the best football player in the world and greatest of all time - joined the worldwide tribute, by posting a photo composite of him and Kobe exchanging salutes.
#MambaDay pic.twitter.com/osGEyg6xA0
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cr7Prince4ever) April 14, 2016
World tennis royalty Maria Sharapova waxed poetic in her tribute to a fellow Nike endorser.
Start it. Live it. Believe it. Fight for it. Persevere it. Follow it. Conquer it. He did it. #MambaDay #RespectToMyFriend
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) April 14, 2016
— APG, GMA News