OKLAHOMA CITY -- After 20 seasons and 1,565 total games, Kobe Bryant stands just 48 minutes away from retirement. The Los Angeles Lakers icon will close out his storied career Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center, and the 37 year old will play in that finale, a rather monumental achievement considering his last three seasons have all been cut short by injury.
"I feel really excited and very happy and I'm looking forward to lacing them up one more time," Bryant said Monday after his team's 112-79 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena, the 677th and final road game of his career.