Spectators paid outrageous prices watch Kobe’s final game, and Kobe put on a final act that justified the ticket price. While the Golden State Warriors chasing history to acclaim the best record for 73 wins, Kobe Bryant's last game over clouded the media. In the last game of his 20 year career, Kobe scored 60 points in 50 shots, as he lead the Lakers to a 101-95 performance over the Jazz. Like every legendary sports champion, Kobe wanted to end his career with a championship. Everyone wanted to see Kobe's last days fighting in the playoffs, earning his 6th ring. However, due to a young and mediocre supporting cast, Kobe did not have a chance to do that, as the Lakers were bottom dwellers in the West, with a record of 17-65. However in Kobe’s final act, he turned what would normally be an irrelevant closing regular season game into a show that would be remembered for ages. Kobe’s last game was a call back to reflecting the glory days of the 20 year career the Black Mamba produced in Los Angeles. Kobe produced a performance that replicated the days of his former self. There was beauty in watching a physically fatigued great athlete pushing his limits to find his former self. His performance was an illustration of why we all love him. It is a reason why Kobe’s closing performance was the greatest last hoorah of any athlete in the history of sports despite not winning a championship in the process. Don’t take my word for it - here are a few other legends' iconic final moments.
1. Ted Williams
Ted Williams had legendary career that spanned 4 decades; he was interrupted by a 3 year stint of service time where Williams served as pilot in World War 2 and the Korean War. Williams lived up to his aspirations to become the best hitter to ever lived. Williams is one of two players to win the Triple Crown twice, and is the last player to hit over .400 in a season when he hit ,406 in 1941. Interestingly, Williams was one of the first athletes to be victimized by the paparazzi style media. In 1959, the Red Sox urged Williams to retire after hitting a poor .259. However, the proud Williams refused to end his career on a sour note. In the 1960 season, at 42 years old, Williams hit .316 adding 29 home runs. In his final at bat in a Red Sox uniform, with the score tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 8th, Williams belted a 1-1 pitch from Orioles pitcher Jack Fisher in the Boston pen. It was a poetic ending to a legendary career.
2. John Elway
Elway is regarded as one of the greatest Quarterbacks in NFL history who enjoyed a stellar career of 16 NFL seasons that included 9 Pro Bowls. However, throughout his career Elway was criticized for not being able to win the Big Game. Elway was plagued after losing in three Super Bowls during his prime in the 1986,1987, and 1989 season. Nearly a decade a later, Elway lead the Broncos back to the Super Bowl where the Broncos beat the defending champion Packers 31-24 in 1997. As many people urged Elway to retire on a high note, Elway decided to return to the Broncos for another season. The following season in 1998 Elway lead the Broncos to another Super Bowl where they beat the Falcons 34-19. Elway was awarded Superbowl MVP after throwing for 336 yards with a touchdown; this game is marked by Elways signature helicopter first down run.
3. Derek Jeter
Similar to Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter ended his farewell tour of his 20 year career in stellar fashion. With the scored tied in the bottom of the 9th, the Captain delivered with one final clutch base hit to bring home the game winning run one final time. It provided one last signature moment in Derek Jeter’s stellar career.
