NBA legend Kobe Bryant will play his final game in Vivint Smart Home Arena on Monday. The Los Angeles Lakers star has fond memories and kind words for the Utah Jazz crowd.
The crowd at Vivint Smart Home Arena and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant have had an interesting relationship through the years. Over the course of the last two decades, he and the Utah Jazz faithful have sparred with one another each time the two teams have shared the hardwood.
Bryant didn’t appreciate the fan reaction when Derek Fisher returned to the arena with the Lakers after leaving the Jazz under circumstances some considered dubious. He had similar feelings about a vocal minority who booed Karl Malone in his return to Utah after joining the Lakers–back when he and Malone were still friendly.
Malone had publicly chastised his former team for producing a skit poking fun at both he and Bryant.
More recently, the Jazz legend has gone so far as to challenge Bryant to “knuckle up” and settle their differences stemming from an exchange between Malone and Bryant’s wife.
While the Mailman and Kobe may never bury the hatchet, on the eve of Bryant’s last-ever trip to Utah for a game against the Jazz, Kobe has nothing but praise for the Jazz fans that rooted so passionately against him for years on end–
Kobe Bryant on his relationship with Jazz fans #LALatUTAhttps://t.co/aIyxZScTg7
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 28, 2016
While things between Jazz Nation and Kobe have been tense at times, the Lakers great talked about having fond memories for the crowd and the moments he shared with them at Vivint Arena.
“It’s fond memories,” Bryant said. “Truly, because that’s what sports should be, I think. It’s that kind of bantering and that kind of competition. So, I’ve always loved playing here because of that.”
Although Bryant was almost chiefly responsible for ending multiple Jazz playoff runs and stole more than a few wins from the Jazz with his late-game heroics, I am one fan who must confess that I’ll always remember Kobe with that same fondness. Without question, he is an icon of the sport.
Still, I’d like nothing more than to send the future Hall of Famer out of Utah with another loss.