Kobe Bryant returning to Philadelphia to play the 76ers on Tuesday night for the final time in his NBA career was always going to be a special moment. Not only is it the place where Kobe rose to prominence as a high school player, but it’s also a city that he’s had history in as a player, facing the Sixers in the 2001 NBA Finals.
However, Kobe took it upon himself right after the opening tip-off to make it even more special. You had to expect that he was going to come out and try something, but I doubt anyone expected what actually happened.