April 13, 2016, a memorable day in the NBA history.  Golden State Warriors broke the best regular season record set by the Chicago Bulls (led by the basketball god, Michael Jordan) 20 years ago (73-9).  Steph Curry set the unfathomable 3-point shot record (402 shots in a single season); but, to me, the most memorable moment was Kobe Bryant's finale after 20 years in the NBA.

Kobe scored 60 points.  That did not impress me.  Everyone was feeding him balls, the defense kind of let him have his way, the referees called in his favor; and 22 for 50 is by no mean a great shooting percentage comparing to Steph Curry's sharp shooting skill.  But his passion and commitment moved me.

20 years with the same team in the NBA, a league that cares more about money than players, a league where players care more about money than the teams -- that's no easy task and has never been done before.  Not only did Kobe stayed with the same team for his entire (and long) career, he also stayed as a top performer throughout his career.  Nothing could stop him.  He never stops training himself thinking he is the best player in the league (unlike many other top players).  I hated him for taking stupid shots over the years, but I have to admire and respect him for his passion, commitment, determination, work ethics, and many other attributes that make him one of a kind.  At the end of his last game, when he spoke to the audience, I could see he was fighting his tears, I could feel he really meant what he said.  Suddenly, I respect him more.  I may not like all his plays and arrogant ego on the court, but he truly gave his heart and soul to basketball and the city of Los Angeles.  He was breathing heavily in the final minutes of the game, but he did not take the easy way out.  He took the Kobe way -- putting on a show for his fans, for his city, and for himself.  From that moment, what's not to like about him?  That's the ultimate respect a player could have done for the sport he loves and for the city that loves him back.  

His famous quote "players come and go, but legend is forever."  He wasn't born a legend.  He worked himself into a legend.  He earns it and he deserves it. #mambaout.