Kobe Bryant: Remembering the final game of ‘The Black Mamba’

Gone but never forgotten. As tributes poured in remembering Kobe Bryant’s remarkable basketball career following his death in a helicopter crash on Sunday in California, fans were left cherishing countless memories as they mourned the NBA great’s passing.

Fans’ final vision of Bryant in a purple and gold uniform four years ago was like many before as the Los Angeles Lakers’ legend scored a spectacular 60 points in his farewell NBA game.

Outside the arena before the game against the Utah Jazz on that day in April 13, 2016, fans had chanted, “Ko-be! Ko-be!”

One fan, who with his two buddies paid $4,200 for three $34 tickets, told CNN they came from Oregon to watch the final game.

“He’s the greatest of our generation,” he said. “He’s been a great inspiration for all of us.”

Kobe Bryant, pictured in 2007, spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant's youth basketball team poses for a picture in the early 1990s in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Bryant dunks the ball in his high school gym in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, during a practice in 1996.

Bryant jokes with the media as he holds his Los Angeles Lakers jersey at a news conference in Inglewood, California, in 1996.

Bryant eyes the basket during the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk contest in Cleveland. Bryant was the youngest player to win the contest.

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls eyes the basket as he is guarded by Bryant during a 1998 game in Los Angeles.

Bryant sits on the sidelines during the Euro ABC camp in Berlin in 1999.

Shaquille O'Neal and Byrant sit on the bench before a game in 1999 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Bryant hugs his fiancee, Vanessa Laine, in the locker room in Los Angeles after the Lakers defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the 2000 NBA Finals to win the series 4-2. Bryant later married Laine, and they had four children.

Bryant goes in for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets in January 2001.

Bryant appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at NBC Studios in 2001.

Bryant stands for the National Anthem at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

President Bush holds up a Lakers jersey that Bryant gave him at a ceremony for the 2001 NBA World Champions in the East Room of the White House in January 2002.

Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, attend a news conference at the Staples Center in 2003. The NBA star proclaimed his innocence after facing sexual assault charges for the alleged rape of a 19-year-old Colorado woman. The charges were later dropped. "Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did," Bryant later said in a statement.

Bryant goes up for a shot between the Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce, left, and Al Jefferson during a 2006 game in Los Angeles.

Bryant kisses his daughter Natalia during a 2008 photo session at his home in Newport Beach, California.

Bryant jumps for a rebound against the Denver Nuggets during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

Bryant celebrates after Game 5 of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. The Lakers won 99-86 for their 15th title and first since 2002. Bryant had 30 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists as the Lakers completed a four-games-to-one victory in the best-of-seven NBA Finals.

Bryant holds his daughter, Gianna, after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals.

Bryant rides the Matterhorn Bobsleds with Jonathan Guerrero, 4, and his father, David Guerrero of Pomona, California, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 2009. The Guerreros were among thousands of Lakers fans who turned out for a special Disneyland parade honoring the Lakers' 15th World Championship.

US President Barack Obama chats with Bryant at a Boys and Girls Club in Washington in 2010. Obama welcomed the Lakers to honor their 2009-2010 season and their second consecutive NBA championship.

Bryant celebrates after defeating the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals in Los Angeles.

Bryant joins a teaching session for fans during a 2011 promotional tour of South Korea at Korea University in Seoul.

Bryant is injured in the second half while playing the Golden State Warriors in 2013. The injury took him out of the rest of the season.

From left, Kevin Durant, Lebron James and Bryant pose with their gold medals at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

LeBron James guards Bryant during a 2016 game between the Cavaliers and Lakers in Los Angeles.

Magic Johnson hugs Bryant before the final game of his career in 2016.

Bryant runs up the court during his final game in 2016. The Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 101-96. Bryant scored 60 points in the game.

From left, Peyton Mannin, Abby Wambach and Bryant accept the Icon Award during the 2016 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, right, gestures while posing with Bryant alongside members of his family and city officials in 2016. The city council announced August 24 as Kobe Bryant Day. The date commemorates the numbers Bryant wore as a Laker: 8 and 24.

Bryant walks to center court at his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of a basketball game in 2017.

Bryant and filmmaker Glen Keane accept the 2018 Oscar for best animated short film. "Dear Basketball" was based on a letter Bryant wrote in 2015 announcing his retirement from basketball.

Bryant posted this photo to Instagram on Mother's Day in 2019. He and his wife, Vanessa, had four daughters: Natalia, Gianna, Bianka and Capri, who was born in June. "Happy Mother's Day @vanessabryant," Bryant wrote. "We love you and thank you for all that you do for our family. You are the foundation of all that we hold dear. I love you #mybaby #lioness #mamabear #queenmamba"

Bryant and his daughter Gianna attend a Los Angeles Lakers game against the Atlanta Hawks in 2019.

Bryant listens to the National Anthem prior to a 2019 Lakers game against the Atlanta Hawks in Los Angeles.

Kobe Bryant's life in pictures

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Bryant had announced that season would be his last in a poignant letter written in the form of a poem on The Players’ Tribune.

“This season is all I have left to give,” he wrote in “Dear Basketball.” “My heart can take the pounding. My mind can handle the grind. But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.

“And that’s OK. I’m ready to let you go.”

If injuries had made too many of his final contests a struggle, Bryant completed his glorious 20-year career with the style that made him a five-time NBA champion.

He showed the tenacity, toughness and talent that made him one of the all-time greats in basketball history.

‘Don’t pass it’

And unlike many games in his farewell season, Bryant’s heroics helped to bring victory. Trailing the Utah Jazz for most of that night, it was Bryant that sparked the Lakers in the fourth quarter, rallying them single-handedly to a 101-96 win.

Then with 4.1 seconds remaining, Bryant left the game. He was swarmed on the court afterward by former teammates and coaches.

“I can’t believe how fast 20 years went by,” Bryant told the Staples Center crowd as he thanked the fans, his teammates and his family.

He recalled how it was his dream to play for the Lakers, his favorite team growing up.

“You can’t write something better than this,” he said.

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Bryant, who made 22 of 50 shots, laughed in his farewell speech because he’d been told for two decades to pass the ball.

On the last night, he said, his teammates were telling him: “Don’t pass it!”

Bryant, whom Magic Johnson referred to in a pregame ceremony as the greatest Laker, finished his speech with “Mamba out” – a reference to his nickname, “The Black Mamba”– a kiss and a literal mic drop.

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Updated 5:44 AM EST, Mon January 27, 2020

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How great was Bryant as he bid farewell to the NBA?

He outscored the Jazz in the fourth quarter 23-21. With his team trailing with just under six minutes to go, Bryant scored 17 consecutive points for his team.

With 40 seconds remaining, Bryant got the ball with his team down 1 point.

It was a scene NBA fans have seen so many times before. Bryant dribbled the ball upcourt, surveyed the defense, headed to his left then reversed course to use a screen. With his man respecting Bryant’s ability to drive, the legend pulled up from just inside the 3-point line with 31 seconds remaining.

As soon as the ball left his shooting hand he knew it, the Jazz knew it, 19,000 Lakers fans knew it and the watching TV audience knew it.

Quintessential Kobe. He knocked it down. Another game winner for a highlight reel full of mesmerizing moments.