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Kobe Bryant: 50 Greatest Moments of Black Mamba’s Career

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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49. Jerry West Honors Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan paying tribute to Kobe Bryant will appeal more to the casual fan due to the underlying narrative. Bryant and Jordan have been compared every step of the way, which provides merit to that opinion.

Seeing Jerry West pay tribute was overwhelming from both an emotional and historical perspective.

West is commonly recognized as one of the greatest players to ever grace the NBA hardwood. He won an NBA championship, was named Finals MVP, made 14 All-Star Game appearances, and led the league in both scoring and assists, respectively.

West is also the man who made Bryant a Laker in 1996.

West made the surprising decision to trade Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for a 17-year-old named Kobe Bryant at the 1996 NBA Draft. It was West who gambled on Bryant as a potential franchise player when many had overlooked him in that regard.

To see West reminisce during Bryant’s final trip to Oracle Arena was beautiful.

Next: A Career First

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