Kobe Bryant ‘breaks the internet’ on his farewell to basketball
Two-time Olympic champion wins so many homages – including from Barack Obama – that LA Lakers Twitter account collapses
End of an era: Bryant steps out in the LA Lakers colours for the last time (Getty Images/Harry How)
Not everyone gets a farewell tweet from the US President when they retire. But then not everyone is Kobe Bryant. The basketball legend said goodbye to the NBA on Wednesday (13 April) night – with a season-high 60 points in a comeback win over Utah Jazz – and the internet felt the weight of his exit as seemingly the whole world posted their thanks.
While Bryant has ruled himself of the Rio 2016 Games, his two gold medals from Beijing 2008 and London 2012 make him an Olympic legend worthy of an Olympic-sized tribute. “I can’t believe how fast 20 years went by. Man, this is crazy,” Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, said while addressing the LA Lakers crowd after the game.
“You can’t write something better than this”
Kobe Bryant on his farewell game
Check out the NBA's 'Thank You Kobe' video
Celebrities such as Jay-Z and Jack Nicholson were in a sold-out Staples Center crowd and the Lakers Twitter account collapsed as fans from across the globe tweeted their affection for Bryant. Check out some of these tweets, including Barack Obama’s, in the collection below.
Kobe broke Twitter. Awesome!! #MambaDay
— Miles Simon (@milessimon) April 14, 2016
Big night of basketball - @Warriors chasing 73 and a farewell for an
— President Obama (@POTUS) 14 de abril de 2016
all-timer, @KobeBryant. NBA fans feeling like: pic.twitter.com/hvno2ZO5b0
Congratulations @kobebryant on a great career. #ThankYouKobe pic.twitter.com/VFCWy6CDNk
— Pelé (@Pele) 13 de abril de 2016
#MambaDay https://t.co/Qe4dWftq0k
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) 14 de abril de 2016
.@kobebryant - Thanks for the Memories! #USABMNT #OlympicGoldx2 #MambaDay #ThankYouKobe pic.twitter.com/kwYhw4cwZ7
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) 14 de abril de 2016
Kobe meant a lot of different things to me over the years. Here’s my last word. #MambaDay pic.twitter.com/rE4m3Uyp43
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) 13 de abril de 2016
Ele só fez 60 pontos no seu último jogo. Não preciso falar mais nada. #kobebryant #thankyoukobe pic.twitter.com/LVz5CGwjad
— Hortencia (@Hortencia) 14 de abril de 2016
It's sad to watch him for the last time. The game will miss you but we know that legends never retire. #ThankYouKobe pic.twitter.com/apvGZWOO4k
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) 13 de abril de 2016
Thanks for your support @KobeBryant #MambaDay https://t.co/MtLY5Gj1pI
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) 14 de abril de 2016
.Bye Bye Bye Legend...!!! Thank you for everything you've done for the World of Sports..! #MambaDay pic.twitter.com/nTRQmoBNP7
— Mo Farah (@Mo_Farah) 14 de abril de 2016
Honoring a legend #mambaday #justdoit @nikecourt pic.twitter.com/EmS4pp4yRb
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) 13 de abril de 2016
