Phavorite Memory: Sixers Spoil Kobe’s Homecoming
The ‘Phavorite Memory’ series will provide the favorite Philadelphia sports memories from the Section 215 staff. The Sixers beating Kobe one last time was memorable.
Being a Sixers fan has been frustrating the past few years, but in there are rare occasions of happiness sprinkled in. The one occasion of happiness that hit my nerves hard was Kobe Bryant‘s final game in Philadelphia.
The start of the 2015-16 NBA season was not good for the Sixers. The team started the season losing their first 18 games, and hopes were not high on the progress of the young Sixers. There was some excitement early on in the season that came right after the 92-84 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
A day after the Sixers lost their 18th game, Kobe Bryant announced that he would be retiring from the game of basketball. This came just a day before the Lakers were set to play in Philadelphia.
Naturally, Philly sports radio went nuts, ticket prices skyrocketed, and the whole city had a new buzz to it. I was in my first year as a season ticket holder, so there was no rush for me to get tickets.
My dad and my little brother wanted to go to the game even before the retirement announcement, since we never had the chance to see the Black Mamba play live. I was somewhat excited. I mean it’s not very often you get to see one of the greatest of an era play their last game in their hometown, but I knew Kobe’s limitations in his final year.
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On our way to the game, the three of us spoke about our favorite Kobe Bryant memories. My dad was less of a fan of Kobe than my brother and I were, mainly because of his disregard of Philly throughout his career. My dad joked, “wow the Sixers are going to win their first game in Kobe’s return”.
We got to the arena fairly early, but the lines of were already packed with fans, some sporting Sixers jerseys and most wearing Kobe Bryant jerseys of all kinds. I was in awe at how influential Bryant really was. He had die hard Philly fans wearing purple and gold, and some even wearing his high school jersey. It was going to be a special night.
As we entered the arena and made our way to our top level seats, we felt a different vibe than any other night we spent in the usually empty Wells Fargo Center.
The teams took their warmups and of course the cameras were out for Kobe. You heard a sprinkle of boos whenever he shot a warmup, but they were drowned out by cheers. But what more would you expect when Kobe’s in the building?
The game was about to start. Sixers PA announcer Matt Chord gave Kobe Bryant a homer-like introduction and the Sixers showed their tribute video. The standing ovation lasted close to five minutes, and I was getting antsy for tipoff.
I was praying Kobe would put on some type of show. Just one more time for his hometown that he strained his relationship with. Well, I got my wish.
Kobe started the game shooting 3 for 4 from 3-point land and had 9 points in just 2 minutes. The crowd went nuts. Sixers fans were on their feet cheering every Kobe-made 3-pointer. I loved it. I went nuts too. But I was still praying for a Sixers win.
The team had been my heart and soul. I wrote about the Sixers daily, and seeing them start the season winless was internally eating at me. The torture was coming to an end, I felt it.
Kobe Bryant struggled, for the most part, the rest of the game. The Sixers stormed back after being down 8 at the half by way of outside shooting. The team hit outside shot after outside shot to storm back and take the lead heading into the 4th quarter.
The fan sentiment went from the greatness of Kobe to the scrappy Sixers finally winning a game. The stadium was packed and energetic, and the team was feeding off it.
The Sixers didn’t look back, and safely put away Kobe’s Lakers for their first win of the season. After the game, Kobe acknowledged the Philly fans one last time and got yet another standing ovation.
We beat Kobe. Sure it was the weakest Lakers team in history and sure it was meaningless from a basketball standpoint. But this was Philadelphia’s way of finally getting the ‘W’ against Kobe Bean Bryant.
I left the game witnessing the Sixers getting the win, and Kobe Bryant giving the fans a show in the 1st. The night couldn’t have gotten any better from a Sixers fan’s standpoint. That’s why it’s one of my favorite Philly sports memories.