Like Jeter and Manning, Kobe Leaves Us With Thrilling Finish

The great ones don't need to leave the sports world with an exclamation point in their final game. Their body of work speaks for itself and the one final memory isn't necessary to cement greatness. It is an added bonus. Some of the best have struggled with retirement, unsure of when to call it quits. Brett Favre and Michael Jordan come to mind. Others, like Barry Sanders, seem to leave us too soon. In the past few years, we have been blessed to watch three stars in three different sports retire at the right time, and give us one more memory to hold on to.

Kobe Bryant became the latest superstar to close out his career -- 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers that included five championships, an MVP award and back-to-back scoring titles. His 60-point game in the season finale was a vintage Kobe performance that included deep threes, fadeaway jumpers and enough bricks to build a house. But nevermind the bricks or the inefficiency because the point is this: Kobe gave us one more lasting memory. Sports are meant to be fun and Wednesday night at the Staples Center was fun with a extra side of amazing.

Earlier this year, Peyton Manning closed the book on an illustrious career, riding off into the sunset after a Super Bowl victory over the Carolina Panthers. Manning, who has gone through his fair share of injuries in recent years like Bryant, wasn't the Manning of 2008, but he was still something to marvel at.

In 2014, Derek Jeter finished his 20 year career with an opposite field walk-off single in the final game of the regular season. The hit was textbook Jeter and added to an already rich legacy in Yankee pinstripes. Sure, it wasn't 2001 Derek Jeter diving into the seats and going to the playoffs, but it was a final memory that we will never forget.

For me, I don't know the NBA without Kobe Bryant, I don't know the NFL without Peyton Manning and I did not know the MLB without Derek Jeter. Those three have been in the league since I was a young boy. I have binders at home with their trading cards, I have worn their jerseys and I have watched them play countless times. It never gets old watching the great ones.

But when Jeter hit the ball through the right side on September 26, 2014, I knew I would never see him swing a bat again. As Peyton held up the Lombardi trophy in February, it was clear that this was it. And as Kobe poured in basket after basket Wednesday night, I wanted the game to last forever. I wanted three overtimes and I never wanted to stop watching Kobe play. But the clock hit zero on the game and simultaneously hit zero on Kobe's career.

After 20 years for Jeter and Bryant, and 17 for Manning that's it. There is no more, but there are the memories and the final ones are memories I'll have forever.

Kobe Bryant's Exit Leaves a Hole in the NBA

Third on the all-time scoring list. Seventeen All-Star selections. Two-time NBA Finals MVP. Two-time NBA scoring champion. Five rings. The career of Kobe Bryant, which once seemed it could go on forever, will come to an end at the conclusion of the season. It has been a career of great triumph and, with less than a full season to go, it's time to realize the talent and personality that will be hanging it up for good in just a couple months.

Kobe has five rings to call his own after a 20-year career

When I was growing up, it was Kobe Bryant's league. Being born in 1994 and being too young to ever appreciate Michael Jordan and the 90's Bulls, my first NBA memories involve the Los Angeles Lakers' dynasty in the early 2000s which, of course, was led by Kobe Bryant. LeBron James was still in high school, and guys like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry weren't even in the public eye. It was Kobe who filled the highlight reels on Sportscenter while becoming Nike's newest poster child. And while there was plenty of drama surrounding Kobe during that time, whether it be childish fights with Shaquille O'Neal or the infamous sexual assault case, it was obvious that Kobe was the best player in the league.

Yet Kobe brought more to the NBA than just talent. Ever since Kobe entered the league, he's had a chip on his shoulder that is unmatched by any player in today's game. He never cared if you liked him and he wasn't bothered by the public's opinion. He was in uniform every night with the mindset to win, and nothing short of that was acceptable. He was a perfectionist, not only for himself, but for his teammates. It didn't matter whether you were the last guy on the bench or a future Hall of Famer in the starting five, Kobe Bryant expected you to do your job, and he would let you know if you didn't.

Kobe sank two free throws after rupturing his Achilles

That's the kind of attitude and personality that, though it can be taken negatively by a lot of people, defined the killer instinct and attitude that the league will dearly miss. Kobe is the last of a dying breed in that his toughness and competitive drive is unlike anything the NBA has to offer now. While his body has failed him these past couple years, his mindset hasn't changed. He fights back, defies the odds, and pushes himself harder than anyone he's ever played with or for. There are few defining moments in anyone's career that personify an athlete more than the two free throws Kobe made after rupturing his Achilles two seasons ago. He was barely able to walk, and yet a lifetime of battling and embracing the grind the game presented was summed up in those two free throws. There was no backing down. And in today's league where guys get taken off in wheelchairs, or they get carried off the court because of a cramp, or they refuse to play because their kid's high school graduation fifteen years down the road keeps them on the bench, it shows you how intense and truly tough Kobe was and is.

So now here we are, with the end drawing close and Kobe's illustrious 20-year career coming to an end. It's obvious he's not the player he used to be, but if the media and fans continue to make fun of and laugh at the poor stats that Kobe's posting, they're missing out on the celebration of one of the best players to ever play the game. This season should not be about comparing his stats to the stats he posted when he was 25, this season should be about reflecting on a phenomenal career and appreciating a player that brought identity and success to the game of basketball. So stop the comparisons, stop the jokes, and stop the criticism. He's not Michael, he's not Magic, he's Kobe Bryant, and the league won't see a player like him ever again.

My Mount Rushmore

The talks of who belongs on the NBA's "Mount Rushmore" have escalated recently with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James choosing to voice their opinions on who they believe belongs in the top four players to ever grace the hardwood. Bryant's Rushmore consisted of Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Bill Russell. LeBron on the other hand chose to place Oscar Robertson on his list instead of Bill Russell. With these stories littering the headlines lately it got me thinking of who I would put on my Mount Rushmore.

MJ's career was one big highlight reel

Michael Jordan: Isn't it obvious? The greatest to ever do it should be on everyone's Mount Rushmore without doubt or question. Six rings, ten scoring titles, five MVP awards, and was a first team All-Defensive member nine times. But awards aside, the performances and plays that Jordan had or made are those that will never be beat nor will they ever go away. The shot over Craig Ehlo, his final shot in a Bulls uniform, and the switch-hands layup against the Lakers are all images that are etched into NBA history. Not to mention His Airness averaged 30.1 points per game in the regular season while averaging 33.4 points per game in the playoffs. His ability to be the most clutch player to play the game and his willingness to step up in big situations solidify him as the best ever. And while LeBron believes that he's going to knock someone off of the NBA's Mount Rushmore, there will never be a worry that MJ will be the one to lose his spot. He's the greatest of all time, and always will be.

At 6'10 Magic was as dynamic as anyone

Magic Johnson: It's hard to argue against Magic Johnson when it comes to the three empty spots on the Mount. Magic was a larger-than-life figure both on and off the court and to this day is still positively affecting the sports world. Throughout his career with the Los Angeles Lakers he averaged 19.5 points per game to coincide with 11.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds. Not bad for a guy who was listed as a point guard. However, even though he was listed as a point guard, the special thing about Magic Johnson is that at 6'10 he played all five positions and played them unbelievably well. Behind Magic's dynamic playing style the Los Angeles Lakers captured five NBA titles during his career, three of which Magic was named Finals MVP. He was also named to the first team All-NBA nine times and shot over 50% for his career. And while Magic has continually said that Kobe Bryant is now the greatest Laker of all time, the stats prove that Magic still reigns supreme when it comes to discussing who is the best to ever don the purple and gold despite missing four complete seasons due to his battle with the HIV virus.

The Big O's ability to rebound set him apart from other guards

Oscar Robertson: The Big O is arguably the best point guard ever with Magic Johnson being his closest competition. At 6'5 Oscar Robertson was over-sized for his position which, at the time he played, was a greater advantage than you will ever see in today's game. And while The Big O was a player unlike any other, his stats in a few of his seasons will most likely never be matched. In the 1961-1962 season Robertson averaged a triple double. Let me say that again: he AVERAGED a triple double. Nowadays ESPN blows up whenever a guy does it in one game while Oscar Robertson did it on a nightly basis for a whole season. Averaging 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists per game in, Robertson played arguably the best season of any player ever. Though he only won one NBA title (Milwaukee 1971) he was a member of the first team All-NBA nine times in his 13 year career. While it may surprise people to see three guards on my Mount Rushmore, the stats and accolades cannot be disputed.

11 rings later, Russell remains the best center

Bill Russell: Not quite sure how Russell get left off of LeBron's top four. Russell will go down as the winningest athlete of all time, winning 15 championships between high school, college, and the NBA. He won 11 NBA titles throughout his 13 year career. That in itself is as impressive as anything you'll ever hear when it comes to sports. On top of that the Celtics center averaged 22.5 rebounds for his career as well as racking up 15.1 points per game. Russell's numbers also increased when it came to the playoffs as he averaged 24.9 rebounds per game and 16.2 points per game. Bill Russell earned himself MVP honors five times while appearing in the All-Star game twelve times. Though other centers may have better statistics, the individual awards that Bill Russell earned prove that he belongs on the Mount Rushmore of the NBA.

These four players are on my Mount Rushmore because of the way they helped reshape and revolutionize the game of basketball. Obviously players like Larry Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are deserving as well and I'm in no way saying that those I left out are not good enough. I just believe that what these four did for the game while putting up unbelievable numbers and enjoying individual success as well as team success along the way is what earns them the top four spots. With this in mind, Zach and I would like to hear your Mount Rushmore! Comment your top four players below!