Kobe Bryant did say that he had a big load off his shoulders when he announced that he was set to retire after this season and it looks like such worked to his advantage.
At least for one night, fans got a glimpse of Bryant's old self (well sort of) when he finished with 31 points in 36 minutes to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their third win at the expense of the hosting Washington Wizards, 108–104, recently.
It remains to be seen if Bryant can render the same kind of performance moving forward. But the main thing is the night was special because Bryant was playing in Washington for the last time and it was the Wizard's final chance to see him playing on their turf.
By the end of the game, the Washington fans gave their final respects to one of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) best players, showing their appreciation for the years that Bryant had performed his best.
The output of Bryant for the night was hardly one that could indicate that Bryant is far from done. But considering his shooting struggles, no thanks to the slowdown caused by injuries, it was a moment that will forever be remembered.
As far as future teams that the Lakers will play, many are hoping to see the same kind of performance from Bryant. Whenever Bryant and the Lakers are visiting, seeing Bryant flash his old form for hosting crowds will be something that any NBA fan would surely treasure.
Head coach Byron Scott is likely to maximize Bryant this season, although he faces the dilemma of gambling on his young crew. With Bryant out by the end of the season, his successor remains a mystery.
A more logical question could perhaps be – Is Bryant's successor on the roster or has yet to come?
