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'Mamba Out:' Kobe Bryant Ends NBA Career With 60-Point Performance
Kobe Bryant plays against the Utah Jazz in the final game of his 20-year career. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant concluded his 20-season NBA career with a bang, scoring 60 points in a Lakers win over the Utah Jazz.
Bryant was in total #heroball mode, going 22-50 from the floor (making 6 3-pointers on 21 attempts). In the last three minutes of the game, Kobe made 15 straight points, including a 20-foot shot with 31 seconds left to help the team take their first lead since the 2nd quarter.
Kobe both getting 60 and setting the record for shots in his FINAL GAME EVER is the most Kobe thing ever
— Tom (@TJFsports) April 14, 2016
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In an ironic twist, Kobe's final play was an assist, with a big cross-court pass to Jordan Clarkson for a dunk.
After the game officially ended, Kobe addressed the crowd, saying, "I cant believe how fast 20 years went by, this is crazy, this is absolutely crazy."
"I grew up a diehard Laker fan—diehard," he continued. "To be drafted and traded to this organization, and to spend 20 years here... you can't write something better than this."
Ever the self-aware superstar, Kobe joked about his ballhog reputation: "The thing that had me cracking up all night long was the fact that I go through 20 years of everybody screaming, 'Pass the ball!' and on the last night they're like, 'Don't pass it!"
Kobe went on to thank the fans "from the bottom of my heart" and his family for their "sacrifice."
"What can I say?" Kobe shrugged as he wrapped up his farewell. "Mamba out."
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Watch Kobe Bryant's farewell speech below:
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