Kobe Bryant believes it’s Golden State’s time now.
Bryant played his final game at Oracle Arena Thursday night, a 116-98 defeat against the defending NBA champions, and Bryant had words of encouragement for Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, passing the torch in his own way.
“You guys have got to go ahead and make history,” Bryant told Curry, via ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.
“I got to chase you,” Curry told him.
“Damn right,” Bryant replied. “Absolutely. Come and get it.”
Bryant also gave Green his game-worn sneakers, and signed them with a message: “make history.”
Star struck by two players when I entered the league… G Hill and @kobebryant THANK YOU!!! Much respect!!! pic.twitter.com/ygzmaLYI4X
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) January 15, 2016
Bryant was asked after the game if this was akin to passing the torch.
“I think so,” Bryant said. “It’s their time. It’s their time. It’s their time to step up and play and see how many championships they can win, see how many gold medals they can win. I had my run. Now it’s important for them to carry it forward.”
Bryant has really grown into the elder statesman role this season. The Warriors are definitely well-positioned to carve out a legacy of their own, and Kobe seems to believe they’ve got the chance to write history in the same way he did.
