On Sunday evening, John Wall led the Washington Wizards with 22 points and 13 assists over Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers 101-88 in a game that never seemed to be in doubt at any stage of the second half.
In the face of certain defeat, the Lakers' home crowd opted to focus in on vociferously begging for their retiring superstar to provide a couple more minutes on the court and a few more priceless memories for the fans in attendance to take home.
"We Want Kobe!" chants dominated the crowd sounds for the duration of the second half.
"I don't listen to them," Lakers coach Byron Scott said about the crowd following Sunday's defeat. "I got to do what's best for the team and also what's best for Kobe. At the time they're yelling it, we're down 20 points. You really think I'm going to put him back in six, seven minutes left when we're down 20 points?"
With the Lakers able to trim the lead to 13 points with just about five minutes remaining in the game, Scott could have conceivably relented and given the 18,997 in attendance exactly what they paid to see. He did not.
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"Then, they start yelling it again with three minutes left and we're down 18 points," Scott admitted he heard the crowd on Sunday. "I wouldn't fathom putting him in at that point in time."
And so, Bryant ended his night with 17 points in 22 and a half minutes of time on the court and left for the locker room a few moments prior to the final buzzer. With a flight to Utah still on the schedule on Sunday night, Bryant likely left the bench early to receive the extra treatment he requires at this advanced stage of his career.
Just about the only current Lakers' player that understands the feeling of "We Want Kobe" chants at Staples Center is Metta World Peace. Earlier in the season, World Peace heard "We Want Metta!" chants to the same tune. So, NBCLA.com tracked down World Peace and asked him how he felt about being singled out by the crowd on that occasion.
"I guess it's cool; I like it," World Peace said about the crowd adoration. "I don't want to acknowledge it, but I see it. I hear it."
With only nine games remaining in his career, the chants for Bryant should only continue to grow fiercer, as the opportunities to see the 20-year legend dwindle with every passing minute of game time. Does Bryant understand exactly how close he is to the end of his basketball life?
"It's pretty crazy to think, I only have four home games left?" Bryant asked a crowd of media assembled at his locker after Sunday's game. "That's kind of crazy. I didn't realize that until right before tip-off."
"It's an amazing honor to play against him and I got the opportunity to talk to him for a bit after the game. It's something you cherish. It's something you remember. And I'm glad I had the opportunity to play, and I'm glad my mom was here to see it."
-Wizards guard John Wall after playing against Kobe Bryant for the final time
