The 2016 NBA All-Star Game was dull, monotonous and predictable, as was much of the praise for Kobe Bryant’s swan song. The millennials thanked Kobe for all he’d done mentoring them, and revealing how to compete and become a champ. The elder statesmen praised Bryant for carrying the torch and safeguarding their beloved game.
Kobe Bryant’s NBA All-Star farewell tour was entirely predictable
Kobe Bryant’s final All-Star Game went exactly as most expected.
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"You've been an unbelievable mentor to me," 25-year-old Pacers forward Paul George said to Bryant in a tribute video that aired prior to Sunday night's All-Star Game.
“He brought a lot of joy to the game,” added Michael Jordan during an in-game interview with TNT’s Craig Sager.
"It's like the passing of a generation. Much he's been such an iconic figure for so long, and he passes it on to that other group of young guys that you saw out there tonight," said Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who coached Bryant and the Western Conference All-Stars, via ESPN.
For the most part, the weekend was just the next stop for Bryant’s farewell tour, albeit one with an extended stay. But the quotes were mostly the same, as was much of the fanfare and reaction. Bryant received praise, and then gave it out. He talked about the NBA’s new generation of stars and what he hopes they take from his Hall of Fame career.
“It feels like I’m passing on all the knowledge that I’ve gained in this game,” Bryant told Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical. “These kids, they grew up watching me. They were my daughter Gianna’s age [10] when they started to watch me play. When we talk now, they’re asking me questions about things that they’ve watched and observed from my career. They want deeper insight. These guys, they were just picking my brain and that’s ... that’s ... special.”
It is, but it also wasn't surprising. Over the years, Bryant has slowly shifted into that mentor role, especially as his Lakers have descended towards the NBA's cellar. Bryant even looked like a fish out of water during the game itself. The rest of the All-Stars used the glorified scrimmage as an opportunity to sprint up the floor, launch bombs and toss alley-oops that they otherwise never would. What did Kobe do? He went down to the post and threw up an awkward-looking sky hook.
Bryant may have still have 27 games left in his NBA career, but the league is clearly moving on.
Which is why the most interesting and revelatory moment from Sunday came just before the game even started. As the nine other starters made their way to center court in preparation for the game's opening tip, Bryant strolled down the Air Canada Centre sidelines to shake hands with all those sitting courtside. He shared some words with Tracy McGrady and quickly embraced Steve Nash.
Then, Bryant made his way over to Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson, two of the NBA’s greats whose legacies extend beyond their on-court accomplishments. Russell participated in the 1963 March on Washington. Robertson’s 1970 suit against the NBA led to the formation of free agency.
Bryant leaned in to share some words with both players. It was time for the game to begin, but Bryant lingered nonetheless.
“Well, Oscar and I have spoken throughout the years sporadically. Bill Russell and I have talked more often and he’s given me a lot of great advice on leadership and competitiveness and things of that sort,” Bryant said after the game, via Yahoo! Sports Marc Spears. “So, he and I were just catching up and touching base. I had changed some of my information, so I was kind of giving him the new information, so we could continue to touch base and talk.”
Everything that today’s NBA stars say Bryant did for them, Bryant knows that Russell and Robertson did for him. Without them, there never would have been a stage on which to perform or an avenue for him to earn all those million dollar checks.
It’s telling that during a weekend that was all about him, Bryant was interested in taking a moment to thank those who came before him, especially as he contemplates what to do next.
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