LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is set to enter the court as a player for the final time today as his team face off against the Utah Jazz at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Bryant, 37, has had a memorable two-decade career in the NBA with the Lakers, notching up more than 1,500 appearances and 33,5834 points for the team.
Ahead of today's game, Bryant fans descended on the Staples Center in the early morning to get their hands on merchandise, much of it limited editions, and some of it costing tens of thousands of dollars.
One black cap, emblazoned with Bryant's number 24 in 18k gold and made from snakeskin is being sold for almost USD$38,000. Another purple Bryant cap decorated with diamonds was on sale for just over USD$24,000.
Donna Alexander, a long-time Bryant and Lakers supporter, said she felt melancholic before the game.
"It makes me sad. I'm proud of him, he did 20 years and stayed with the Lakers. I've been a Lakers fan since Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, James Worthy. After James Worthy, Kobe was my favorite player but I'm going to miss him. I'm like every LA fan, I believe, he's been number 1, he's been on the grind, he's got five championships, I'm just proud of him. He's a hard-working man," she said.
"I came here from about 3,000 miles away from Stamford, Connecticut, I came for the day, just for the game. I'm a massive Lakers and Kobe fan, just to celebrate him one last time, thank him for everything he's done for this organization, five championships, countless years of dedication and hard work and just to see him one last time to celebrate him," added John Moshos.
Lakers fan Brad Taylor from New York said the game was the end of an era.
"I mean it's sad, we're going to miss him, I came here to see his last game and everything like that. I think it's the end of an era for him, you know he gave us 20 great years, and you know we are just here to celebrate, you know, and just be here for him and support him and buy some of his great merchandise that he's got going on here," he said.
"Honestly [I just came] to buy a Lakers jersey, Kobe Bryant after 20 seasons, you know, I wanted to have a reminder of Kobe, his last game," added another fan, Giovanni Mendoza.
Resale ticket prices have skyrocketed for the game with the cheapest tickets available starting at $700 for seats furthest back, while court side seats cost up to $10,000 on Ticketmaster and even higher on some other websites.
Reuters
