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Kobe Bryant’s last game managed to put a smile on Kanye West’s face as the L.A. Lakers player scored 60 points to win the game. The Staples Center was sold out as the crowd watched Bryant put an end to his 20-year career. Bryant led the Lakers to a 101-91 win against the Utah Jazz.
Coach Byron Scott kept his word to give Bryant more play time in Wednesday night’s match. ESPN reports the 6’6″ baller, known as Bean, played 42 minutes. In that time, he took 50 shots – the most attempts of his career. The game also set a record for the Black Mamba. At age 37, he is the oldest player to score 50 points in an NBA game. He went on to score 60 total. He also had four assists and four rebounds.
With 59 seconds left in the game, Bryant scored a 3-pointer as the crowd stood. He scored another with 31 seconds left to play. At the 4.1 second mark, Bryant scored an assist, leading the Lakers to their 17th season win.
Rolling Out reports the excitement led serious-faced Kanye West to break into a smile. Throughout the first three quarters of the game, West looked stone-faced. But the “Famous” rapper couldn’t help but grin as Bryant lead his team to victory in the last quarter. West later greeted Bryant after the game. According to The Daily Mail, Bryant and West shook hands as the rapper excitedly spoke with the athlete. West, who was joined by former Lakers player Lamar Odom, wore custom-made Kobe apparel. His Lakers-yellow shirt said “I feel like Kobe” on the front.
Before the game, West took to Twitter to show his excitement. The “Life of Pablo” record-maker posted a photo of his game ticket and referred to Bryant as “the god.”
At the God's last game pic.twitter.com/eucluEFOFX
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 14, 2016
Post-game, West also showed off his shirt.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 14, 2016
Bryant’s finale isn’t the first time the athlete and hip-hop star have met. In 2012, Uproxx reports the pair teamed up for a Nike Basketball commercial on the #KobeSystem. In the TV ad, Bryant gave tips on personal improvement as West looked confused. It satirized the egos of the two icons.
