| |
|
NBA -- D-Rose gives high praise to retiring Kobe
By Anthony Rozic PhilBoxing.com Wed, 24 Feb 2016

CHICAGO -- Words are often hard to find when talking about the greatness of Kobe Bryant.
But when the face of the Lakers franchise visited the United Center for the last time on February 21, Bulls star Derrick Rose made a very apt description. In a video tribute during players' introductions, he described Kobe as "the Michael Jordan of our generation."
Hard to argue.
Not only is Kobe an 18-time All-Star, he ruled the NBA universe for the most part of the 2000s, guiding the Lakers to five championships, including a rare back-to-back in 2009 and 2010.
Injuries have since slowed the 37-year old Bryant, who is entering his 20th season as a Laker. Clearly, his best hoops years are behind him now, but he can still put on a show, although not as consistently as he used to. And that's why fans still show up in hordes to watch him these days.
These days, fans come mainly to thank Kobe for the memories and for helping make the NBA what it is today, a beautiful game populated by likable stars.
Such was the case at the United Center last Sunday when a standing room only crowd of 23,143 showed up. They cheered, they chanted and they clapped for Kobe Bryant.
Kobe didn't disappoint, scoring 22 points on 8-for-20 shooting. He missed 6-of-7 triples but made 5-of-7 free throws. The Lakers lost, 126-115, thanks largely to Rose, who sizzled with 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
But in defeat, Kobe won the hearts of fans who bade him a fond, heartfelt farewell as he heads into retirement at season's end.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Anthony Rozic.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mason Storm: Abdullah Butchers Nakathila in Norfolk Showcase , Sun, 08 Jun 2025Return of the comeback By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 08 Jun 2025MANNY PACQUIAO IN CANASTOTA, NY (PHOTOS) By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Jun 2025Introducing The Spartan Series: Vegas Fight Experience — Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy , Sun, 08 Jun 2025RESULTS FROM TONIGHT’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS & ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT LIVE ON DAZN AT THE TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO , Sat, 07 Jun 2025Davis vs De Los Santos: The Fight That Never Was By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Jun 20252 Filipino grandmasters join Touchmove chess tourney By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025Keyshawn Davis Fight Canceled After Weight Miss, Mason-Nakathila Elevated to Main Event By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025Eumir Marcial Set to Battle Alexis Gaytán in Pacquiao's Comeback Show By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025SUNDAY: Fabio Turchi-Milans Volkovs Cruiserweight Showdown Headlines Italy Fight Card LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+ , Sat, 07 Jun 2025Bomogao KOs Rubio in 1st round By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 07 Jun 2025REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA, OCTOBER 16–19 , Sat, 07 Jun 2025King's Promotions June 19th Card at Wind Creek Event Center is Postponed Card Rescheduled for September 5th , Sat, 07 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 7 - AMATEUR BOXING CAREER OF MUHAMMAD ALI By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 06 Jun 2025Indiana, Haliburton Do It Again, Pacers Shock OKC on the Road, 111-110 By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 06 Jun 2025STAR BOXING PRESENTS SPECIAL PRESS CONFERENCE-MONDAY , Fri, 06 Jun 2025Undefeated Super Bantamweight Chavez Barrientes Returns June 7th Against Sharone Carter on Most Valuable Prospects 13 Card , Fri, 06 Jun 2025Vasiliy Lomachenko Announces Retirement: A Glorious Chapter Closes in Boxing History By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 06 Jun 2025“HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES , Fri, 06 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Returns Home for Inaugural World Title Defense at Norfolk’s Scope Arena , Fri, 06 Jun 2025DAZN PRESENTS NEW NO DAYS OFF EPISODE HIGHLIGHTING REIGNING UNIFIED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION FRANCHÓN CREWS-DEZURN , Fri, 06 Jun 2025ANTONIO VARGAS PENS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM AND BOXLAB , Fri, 06 Jun 2025Antimaro, Jimenez to fight in Japan on June 7 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Jun 2025Keyshawn Davis vs. Edwin De Los Santos Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels , Thu, 05 Jun 2025“Prospects Collide” Full Card Announced , Thu, 05 Jun 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|