Kobe Bryant and Philly have always had a relationship, but both sides at times were misunderstood. In the Black Mamba’s last season, he announced his retirement before a road trip, and coincidentally his first game after the big announcement was a final homecoming game on Broad Street.
Kobe grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia while his father played for the Philadelphia 76ers. When he was eight, his family moved to Italy while his father played in the European league. They returned home to Lower Merion when Kobe was ready for high school. He immediately gained attention on the local basketball scene, as fans from around the area would try to buy student tickets to get a seat to watch the 17-year-old phenom.