You'd Have To Imagine That Kobe Bryant Appreciated The Clippers Not Giving Him A Goodbye Gift

Clippers did not give Kobe any retirement gifts, btw. A little unusual for that to happen on his farewell tour but not unprecedented.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 6, 2016

I'll tell you this, if Kobe Bryant was insulted by the Clippers failure to formalize their gratitude with a meaningless gift then I officially know nothing about Kobe Bryant. I know he's spent a large majority of the past season smiling, waving, signing autographs, and kissing babies. Basically everything he has spent the last two decades avoiding like the plague. However, the real Kobe still has to appreciate an intercity rival refusing to participate in a display of honor that would make the Lord Jesus Christ blush, right? I think you can still recognize the man's accomplishments and his importance to the sport without wrapping it up and putting a bow on it. ​As much as it has appeared to have diminished, I would hope the competitive spirit that made 'The Black Mamba' one of the greatest basketball players of all time didn't die along with his skill set. This whole farewell tour that has made him seem like a personable, happy-go-lucky guy is great and all, but I just hope that it's mostly a front so that he's able to retire into the business world without being told to fuck off by every enemy he's ever made. Essentially I just never want to come to know Kobe Bryant as the chick that's offended when someone comes to her dinner party without bringing so much as a side dish. Since when was showing up to a party and respectfully acknowledging the person throwing it not enough...
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Kobe Pregame intro part 1/2 #Lakers #Clippers pic.twitter.com/YEqDSPkFU9

— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) April 6, 2016

Kobe Bryant video part 2/2. Plenty of Kobe/ #Lakers fans in the house. "Kobe!" Chants followed intro. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/1EPIn53p4L

— Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) April 6, 2016