Kobe on 60-point finale: ‘I still have to pinch myself’

MANILA, Philippines – Throughout his successful 20-year career, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant distinguished himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history whose game on the basketball court always presented entertainment value.

That’s why it wasn’t surprising that in the final game of his career – a close win against the Utah Jazz – Bryant scored 60 points.

But according to the 5-time NBA champion, that wasn’t supposed to happen.

“There’s no way to dream of that happening in that manner,” Bryant said about his finale on Saturday, June 26, at the Shangri-la Hotel in The Fort.

The 2008 NBA MVP is in Manila again, this time for the Mamba Mentality Tour courtesy of Nike.

Speaking with media, Bryant recalled a time he was talking to novelist JJ Abrams and told him about the 60-point outing, “‘You know, if I was making a film and that was the ending of the film, I have to re-write the ending of the film, because there’s no way that’s supposed to happen.’”

Bryant, who now focuses on making films through his multi-level business Kobe Inc., said that such an ending couldn’t have even been written for a script to a movie.

(READ: Kobe Bryant: Lakers will be contenders again soon)

“I would look at the script,” laughed Bryant, “I would shoot it, I’d say, ‘Nah, that’s unrealistic.’ I still have to pinch myself that that actually happened.”

(READ: Jordan Clarkson on Kobe’s 60-point finale: ‘Almost like a movie’)

About returning to Manila, Bryant said that “I was excited” when he first heard of the idea. 

“It’s always fun to come here. There’s so much energy that surrounds the game, there’s so much passion that surrounds the game. I enjoy it every time I come out here.” – Rappler.com