Kobe Bryant announced he would retire at the end of the 2015-16 season in a poem on the Player's Tribune on Sunday, writing that his "body knows it's time to say goodbye."
Here’s when Kobe Bryant will visit your NBA city for the final time
Here are the dates for the Kobe Bryant retirement tour.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Bryant is ending a 20-year-year career in 2016, one in which he racked up five NBA championships, an MVP award, and multiple All-NBA honors. He’s struggling this season, scoring only 15.1 points per game on 31.5 shooting.
But you won’t want to miss your last chance to see him on the court in person.
As Bryant’s retirement tour begins, here are the dates he’ll make his last appearance in each NBA city. (It’s very possible Bryant will sit out some of these games as they come on the second night of back-to-backs, but let’s assume he plays every game):
Fans in Dallas, Brooklyn, New York, Miami, and Orlando already hosted Bryant for the final time. Sorry!
Dec. 1: Philadelphia 76ers
Bryant begins his farewell tour in his hometown. Philadelphia fans have attempted to boo Bryant before, but it likely won’t happen this year.
Dec. 2: Washington Wizards
His retirement was eerily similar to Michael Jordan’s. Luckily, he gets to make an appearance in Jordan’s final home.
Dec. 4: Atlanta Hawks
Dec. 6: Detroit Pistons
Bryant makes one more visit to the team that caused his team to break up his pairing with Shaq.
Dec. 7: Toronto Raptors
Bryant’s last appearance outside of the U.S. Drake is gonna be so sad. Expect many tributes to one of Kobe’s signature moments.
Dec. 9: Minnesota Timberwolves
The competitiveness of Bryant and Kevin Garnett will be missed.
Dec. 28: Charlotte Hornets
Bryant’s final attempt to beat Michael Jordan on the road.
Dec. 30: Boston Celtics
This one might not be so cordial, Celtics fans are still bitter over Bryant's 6-for-24 performance in Game 7 of the 2009 NBA Finals -- a game the Lakers won.
Jan. 7: Sacramento Kings
One more chance for Kings fans to see Bryant after his Lakers crushed the city’s soul in the 2002 Western Conference Finals.
Jan. 14: Golden State Warriors (TNT)
Maybe Golden State will have lost by then??
Jan. 23: Portland Trail Blazers
Feb. 6: San Antonio Spurs
The Tim Duncan retirement tour may never occur...
Feb. 8: Indiana Pacers
Feb. 10: Cleveland Cavaliers
The LeBron James/Bryant rivalry never really got off the ground, but these are still the two stars of their eras.
Feb. 21: Chicago Bulls
Yes, we’ve talked about Michael Jordan a lot, but Bryant will be going all out against Jordan’s old team.
Feb. 22: Milwaukee Bucks
Feb. 24: Memphis Grizzlies
March 2: Denver Nuggets
March 23: Phoenix Suns
March 28: Utah Jazz
April 5: Los Angeles Clippers (TNT)
Bryant watched the Clippers go from nothing to the premier team in town. He’ll take a shot at the Clippers in his final “road” game against them at Staples Center.
April 8: New Orleans Pelicans
April 10: Houston Rockets
April 11: Oklahoma City Thunder
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will take their final shot at Bryant.
April 13: Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe’s final game will come in Los Angeles against the Jazz. It’s a fitting ending for a one-team star, something that doesn’t always happen in the NBA anymore.
Bryant isn’t likely to to turn back the clock and average 30 points per game for the rest of the season. But never count out Bryant, especially in his final season. And be sure to catch him if you can -- he’s an all-time great.
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