Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) signs autographs after leaving the court after the Lakers loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 2, 2016 at Pepsi Center. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
It was early night for Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in his last game in Denver Wednesday night. His aching shoulder injury got the better of him holding him to only 11 minutes of action.
Bryant’s fun didn’t end when he exited the game though. He had his own game with four fans on the sidelines, a pair of boys and a pair of young ladies. It ended with the pair of boys receiving his autographed sneakers once the game ended. It wasn’t just a gift though.
“No, they earned them,” Bryant said. “They wanted to know what the know what the name of my pet dog was. I gave them a clue. I said ‘it’s in a (Harry) Potter film.’ So every time out they’ll throw out like 15 names. The deal was if they got it, I’d give them my shoes. And they got it.”
Bryant revealed the name of his god was Crucio, the name of one of three unforgivable curses that inflicts excruciating pain upon the receiver.
This is why he announced his retirement early in the season, so he could enjoy these special moments with fans celebrating his legacy. The crowd at the Pepsi Center was overran by Lakers’ fans, a rare scene from a city that made him their biggest enemy during his prime.
With all the vicious playoff battles, Bryant earned the fans dislike but he also got their respect.
Game 6 of the 2009 Western Conference Finals was Bryant’s favorite memory. He hopes Denver remembers him for more than being the man that often ended their season.
“It’d be important for me, if through all my years of playing they were able to somehow internalize my mindset and how I approach the game, the attention to detail, the preparation and hard work,” Bryant said. “If they could internalize that and use that themselves in whatever it is that they’re doing. That’s what’s most important to me.”
