Ex-Lakers Star Regrets Rejecting Kobe Bryant’s Last Game Request: “I Wish I Would’ve…”

It was April 13, 2016, when Kobe Bryant played his last NBA game. It was a basketball masterpiece, with the player scoring 60 points. He hit the winning shot with just 31.6 seconds left and led the Lakers to a 101-96 victory against the Utah Jazz. “Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!” Lakers fans cheered. That night he resurrected the Mamba Mentality one last time.

“I’m still in shock about it,” he said after the game. It was his sixth game with 60 or more points in his career. He left with no regrets. However, his ex-teammate Lou Williams has one disappointment regarding that night. What could it be?

Why did Lou Williams reject Kobe Bryant’s request?

The anticipation for Bryant’s last game was at an all-time high. Thousands of fans were at the Staples Center, the house that he built. Millions around the world were glued to their screens to get the last glimpse of the player in action. Although Lou Williams had an opportunity and a special request from the man himself, he decided to join the fans in that experience of a lifetime. He admitted on the ‘Run It Back’ show that he was asked by Kobe Bryant to suit up for the game. Despite that, he decided to not play that game and watch Bryant as a fan.

Williams said, “[Kobe Bryant] asked us to play in the last game, and I said no, I said I want to watch just like everybody else.” The 37-year-old said that now he regrets making that decision as he missed the opportunity to share the stage with the legendary player. He said, “In hindsight, I wish I would’ve took that opportunity, took the court with him that last time.”

Many celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Beyonce, Jay-Z, and Shaquille O’Neal were present to watch Bryant play. And the 5x NBA champion did not disappoint. He did what he does best and played in the most Kobe Bryant way possible.

“Mamba out,” that’s how Bryant signed off after an iconic 20-year career. But did he already know he would walk away with a noteworthy performance? Lou Williams says yes!

Williams on Kobe Bryant’s final game plan: “He kept telling us”

On the ‘Run It Back’ show, Williams recalled being with Kobe Bryant at practice. The latter told his teammates that he was going to go for 60 that night. Williams said, “He was telling us all week in practice, he was like “I’m going for 60, like, I’m gonna shoot the ball 60 times. He kept telling us.”

READ MORE: 23 Years Before Kobe Bryant’s Work Ethic Impressed Him, 3x All-Star Shares a Freaky Coincidence With ‘Black Mamba’

He kept his promise. As for the all-time rankings in the final game, Kobe Bryant took the top spot by a huge margin. However, for Bryant, the perfect ending would have been a championship.

How do you feel about the late great Kobe Bryant’s last game? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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