With L.A. Lakers star Kobe Bryant wrapping up his final All-Star Weekend last week, a few of his fellow big-timers decided that the proper way to send off the Black Mamba wasn’t with a bunch of applause and a video tribute, but by roasting Kobe’s ass over dinner.
That’s what happened at the Gentlemen’s Supper Club at Parcae in Toronto when the Lakers stud joined Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul, which included Bryant’s peers giving him absolute shit for being an old man, via TMZ Sports.
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While it was all in good fun, Melo, D-Wade and CP3 sure didn’t hold back their viciousness for Kobe after all of those years he tormented them, giving a few unique gifts for a man about to retire, which included a walking cane, reading glasses, Preparation H, Mamba fruit chews, TV remote, denture adhesive cream, compression socks and a magnum bottle of Barbaresco 1996 Italian wine.
The gifts and speeches may have been a knock on the five-time NBA champ, but there was nothing but love for Kobe, according to Wade, per AP‘s Tim Reynolds:
“Respect,” Wade said. “That’s what it was. It was about respect, ours for him and the respect he’s given us. I just wanted to tell him that his respect meant a lot, means a lot, to my career. I went down a list of moments, gave people insight on Kobe and the way he thinks. It was just appreciation, man. His drive, his competitiveness, it helped me early in my career because I wanted to be on his level.”
There’s only one Mamba, so here’s hoping he enjoys the geezer gifts once he limps off into the nursing home.
[H/T TMZ Sports, Associated Press]