Dec. 01--In November 2010, early in Derrick Rose's historic Most Valuable Player season, Kobe Bryant pulled Rose aside for a postgame hug and whispered words of encouragement at Los Angeles' Staples Center.
A month later, reclining courtside after the Lakers' morning shootaround at the United Center, Bryant was asked if that moment represented a passing of the torch.
"I ain't passing (expletive)," Bryant said.
There are countless anecdotes revealing Bryant's cutthroat competitiveness and assassin-like mentality. Heck, even Bryant's follow-up answer when asked if Rose had to come take the proverbial torch -- "He can try," Bryant said -- offered another.
Such stories are why Feb. 21, 2016, will be special. That's the Lakers' lone trip to the United Center -- and thus Bryant's last game in Chicago -- after he announced Sunday night with a poem posted on The Players' Tribune website that this 20th season would be his last.
Bryant always professed his love for playing in the House that Jordan Built. Diminished skills or not, that February game could be special because, just like with Michael Jordan, you can never count out such legendary competitiveness.
Serious late-career injuries and a multitude of minutes have robbed Bryant of being Bryant nightly anymore. But wouldn't it be fitting if the five-time NBA champion and one-time MVP turned back the clock the night Jordan's statue stands sentry outside?
"What he has accomplished, the way he did it, the way he scored, the tough shots that he hit, the fadeaways, the athleticism he did it with, the grace -- yeah, I think he probably is the closest thing to Michael," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said.
Bryant took heat in some quarters for patterning his game, his speech and some of his mannerisms after Jordan's. Even his ode to basketball began "Dear Basketball," just like a full-page ad Nike ran in newspapers for a Jordan letter in April 2003 at the end of his career.
But those closest to Bryant spoke to his singularity.
"He's a hard-working guy who wants to be the best and doesn't settle for anything less," said Pau Gasol, who altered his pregame routine to address reporters. "He's always going to try to be exceptional. He's got that alpha personality.
"You just have to understand where he's coming from and work with him the best you can. Don't try to bump heads with him. That's not going to work out really well. I understood, and my personality fit in perfectly with his and the team at the time."
Indeed, the Lakers won two championships and made three trips to the NBA Finals in Gasol's 61/2 seasons with Bryant.
"He's one of the greatest. Where he would rank, that's very subjective," Gasol said. "But he's definitely at the top for what he accomplished individually and also with his teams and how long he's played, the dedication and the work he put into the game and how much he has given to the game."
Gregg Popovich joked all of his Bryant memories "are when he beat us." Then the Spurs coach turned serious.
"Beyond his ability, he's one of those guys who brought it every night," Popovich said. "He wanted to destroy the opponent. Most players don't know what that is. He did it."
Bryant was linked to the Bulls twice.
In July 2004, executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf flew to Newport Beach, Calif., to meet Bryant and his representative at a hotel and pitch him in free agency. That the Bulls kept the visit quiet and no media outlet reported it for a week impressed Bryant, who seriously considered flying to Chicago for a follow-up visit before re-signing with the Lakers.
Then Bryant made noise about wanting a trade in the 2007 offseason, and the Bulls emerged as suitors. Contrary to a widely misrepresented story, the Bulls didn't nix a trade because of Luol Deng. A proposal was exchanged, but talks never grew serious.
Bryant leaving is serious. February is the time to pay respects in person.
kcjohnson@tribpub.com
