This Gordon Hayward story about Kobe Bryant's final game is tremendous

The overflow of tributes that have come in since Kobe Bryant’s death on Sunday have shown how revered the Los Angeles Lakers legend was among the NBA community, sports fans in general, and people throughout the world. A story shared by Mike Tirico about a gesture from Gordon Hayward in Kobe Bryant’s final game also shows just how much the NBA community respected Bryant and looks out for each other.

Tirico, who called Kobe’s farewell game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016, recounted a great story on Ryen Russillo’s podcast about how Hayward worked to ensure Kobe would get the best shot at scoring 60 points in his last game.

There’s a moment from Kobe’s final game that few people saw and nobody really remembers … but @miketirico won’t ever forget it. pic.twitter.com/prJGObG58y

— The Ringer (@ringer) January 28, 2020

Keep in mind that Hayward’s Jazz blew a late lead and lost 101-96. Despite that, Hayward knew to make sure he gave Bryant another shot at reaching the 60-point mark in case the Lakers legend missed his free throw. Bryant of course made both free throws to reach the incredible 60-point mark in his farewell game.

A year later, Hayward broke his leg in his first game playing for the Boston Celtics. Bryant wrote an inspirational message on Instagram for Hayward, advising him on the recovery process.

View this post on Instagram

Be sad. Be mad. Be frustrated. Scream. Cry. Sulk. When you wake up you will think it was just a nightmare only to realize it’s all too real. You will be angry and wish for the day back, the game back THAT play back. But reality gives nothing back and nor should you. Time to move on and focus on doing everything in your power to prepare for surgery, ask all the questions to be sure you understand fully the procedure so that you may visualize it in your subconscious while being operated on and better the chance of it’s success. Then focus on the recovery process day by day by day. It’s a long journey but if you focus on the mini milestones along the way you will find beauty in the struggle of doing simple things that prior to this injury were taken for granted. This will also mean that when you return you will have a new perspective. You will be so appreciative of being able to stand, walk, run that you will train harder than you ever have. You see the belief within you grow with each mini milestone and you will come back a better player for it. Best of luck to you on this journey my brother #mambamentality always.

A post shared by Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) on Oct 18, 2017 at 8:38am PDT

A month after Bryant’s final game, Hayward offered his thoughts on the contest and admitted they were in shock watching the performance.

We’ve seen other moments where players have tried to help legends achieve incredible feats (think Brett Favre giving Michael Strahan the sack record), but this was something very few people knew about, and hearing it is cool.

UPDATE: Hayward addressed the story and said the move was unintentional and that Kobe would not have wanted to be gifted a point.

It has also come to my attention that there is a story going around tonight about an intentional lane violation that I took to ensure Kobe would get his 60th point in his final game and many are applauding me for the gesture. The fact of the matter is that is not true.

— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020

He got 60 on me and I didn't give him anything free all night. What happened on the free throw line was not intentional. Kobe would have lost respect for me if I gave him something free. That’s what made him so very special!

— Gordon Hayward (@gordonhayward) January 28, 2020

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Other victims of the helicopter crash:
– John Altobelli, junior college baseball coach, also died in helicopter crash
– Christina Mauser, girls’ basketball coach, among the helicopter crash victims
– Sarah Chester, daughter Payton were also killed in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash
– Ara Zobayan was the pilot in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash

Tributes to Kobe:
– UConn honors Gianna Bryant with own jersey, spot on the bench
– LeBron James promises to continue Kobe Bryant’s legacy in Instagram note
– Dallas Mavericks retire Kobe Bryant’s No. 24 jersey
– Video: Raptors, Spurs start game with amazing tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Shaq posts heartfelt tribute to Kobe Bryant
– Michael Jordan releases statement on death of ‘little brother’ Kobe Bryant
– Video: Doc Rivers breaks down crying talking about Kobe Bryant
– Phil Jackson calls Kobe Bryant ‘a chosen one’ in statement on his death
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on death of Kobe Bryant
– Video: Dwyane Wade posts emotional message reacting to Kobe Bryant’s death
– Kendrick Perkins extends olive branch to Kevin Durant after Kobe Bryant’s death
– Video: Emotional Mike Breen sums up NBA world’s emotions about Kobe Bryant’s death
– Trae Young’s huge game was full of Kobe Bryant-related statistical coincidences