Kobe chronicles: Players, coaches and broadcasters recount their best Kobe moments - Los Angeles Times
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Kobe chronicles: Players, coaches and broadcasters recount their best Kobe moments

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant shoots a layup during the first half.

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant shoots a layup during the first half.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

As Kobe Bryant plays out his 20th and final season with the Lakers, The Times has reached out to players, coaches and broadcasters for recollections about his career.

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As Kobe Bryant plays out his 20th and final season with the Lakers, The Times has reached out to players, coaches and broadcasters for recollections about his career.

MORE KOBE COVERAGE:


Describe Kobe Bryant in one word. Here's what some NBA players say


Dwyane Wade – Teammates on Team USA

The relationships that came out of there, myself and Kobe, you see it now with the relationship that we have -- its just a total amount of respect.

MORE: Dwyane Wade tells of how his and Kobe's relationship changed in 2008 on Team USA


Brook and Robin Lopez – Twins who now play in the NBA

There are times when youre on the floor and you kind of have to pinch yourself a little bit, make sure youre not dreaming, as corny as it sounds.

— Robin Lopez

MORE: Lopez twins grew up watching Bryant in family living room


Amar'e Stoudemire – Faced Kobe twice in the NBA playoffs

We sent double-teams at him, we sent triple-teams at him and normally he would pass out of it, but he was just on fire that night and he scored every time.

MORE: Amar'e Stoudemire talks Kobe and the 2010 playoffs


Isaiah Thomas – Made his NBA debut against Kobe

He changed the game, not just on the court but off the court, and he means a lot. Thats my favorite player.

MORE: Isaiah Thomas recalls his favorite memory against his favorite player


Caron Butler – Played one season with Kobe

The house was full of about 30 to 40 people in it and everybody saw Kobe and was like, 'Aw, man! He eats ribs!' and he said, 'Yeah, I pump my own gas, too.'

MORE: When Kobe ate ribs at a barbecue at Caron Butler's mother's house


Carmelo Anthony – Olympic teammate with Kobe

It was a very emotional situation from the standpoint of competing. One of the greats, a friend, brother, one last time.

MORE: Carmelo Anthony and Kobe forged their friendship as teammates in the Olympics


Kyrie Irving – Three-time All-Star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers

A lot of people like to see highlight dunks, a lot of crossovers and stuff like that. But when Im watching Kobe, I just watch how detailed he is and just watching how he reads the game

MORE: Kyrie Irving tells of the time he challenged Kobe to a game of one-on-one


Matt Barnes – Teammate and opponent of Kobe

I never got a chance to play against Jordan, so for my era, Kobe was the best player of my generation so the game will sorely miss him.

MORE: Matt Barnes most distinct memory of Kobe was watching him scribble on paper


Tony Allen – The 'Kobe stopper' 

I just remember him hitting a three and one jump shot and looking at me like, 'Go sit down.'

MORE: Tony Allen remembers nightmare rookie game against Kobe


Kevin Martin – a 12-year veteran playing for San Antonio

It will 'be kind of weird' to think of the NBA without Bryant.

MORE: Kevin Martin shares a valuable lesson from Kobe


Tim Duncan – A five-time NBA champion for the San Antonio Spurs

We played for many years. It's been great. We're moving on.

MORE: Tim Duncan says there was 'no emotion' when facing Kobe a final time


Dwight Howard – Played one season with Kobe

Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant had an interesting season together with the Lakers. (Jared Wickerham / Getty Images)
(Jared Wickerham / Getty Images)

I dont know why everybody just made it seem like we just hated each other.

MORE: Dwight Howard sets the record straight about his time in L.A.


Jason Kidd – Lost to Kobe in the 2002 NBA Finals and was an Olympic teammate with him in 2008

Jason Kidd pressures Kobe Bryant during an Olympic basketball team practice in 2007. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) Kobe Bryant makes the last shot of the game over the New Jersey Nets Jason Kidd. (Los Angeles Times)
Jason Kidd pressures Kobe Bryant during an Olympic basketball team practice in 2007. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) Kobe Bryant makes the last shot of the game over the New Jersey Nets Jason Kidd. (Los Angeles Times)
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We come in not understanding who Father Time is, and at the end, you find out very quickly who he is and that he's undefeated. There's no way around it.

MORE: Kidd relates to Kobe's battle with Father Time


Shaquille O'Neal – Center on title teams with Kobe

Kobe Bryant jumps into the arms of Shaquille O'Neal after the Lakers clinched the NBA title in 2000. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

That's when I got behind the podium after the game and said, 'Kobe is the best player in the world!'

MORE: Shaq shares his favorite Kobe story


Ron Harper – Guard on title teams with Kobe

Ron Harper and Kobe share a moment during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals game in 2001. (Los Angeles Times)
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Who would you want to take the last shot in a game, Michael Jordan or Kobe?

MORE: Harper adds to the MJ-Kobe debate

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