LOS ANGELES -- As Kobe Bryant's career nears its end, there will be a number of instances when the Los Angeles Lakers star experiences something one last time.
One such instances occurred Sunday after the Lakers' 101-88 loss to the Washington Wizards at Staples Center, when Bryant conducted what Lakers spokesman John Black said would be the final interview in front of Bryant's locker.
In his remaining nine games, Bryant, who is retiring this summer after a 20-season NBA career, is expected to conduct all his postgame media sessions in a news conference setting.
Of course, it's not as though Bryant's last postgame interview in front of his locker was a momentous occasion. It passed without any sort of fanfare.
Still, it marked an end of sorts.
"Am I going to miss any of this?" Bryant asked, as media crowded around him "Probably. Maybe. Yeah. I've done a lot of interviews here standing in front of this locker and the one that I'll always remember is the night that I ruptured my Achilles. Yeah, I'll miss standing here and watching you [media] elbow each other [for position] and all that fun stuff."
Speaking of his Achilles rupture, Bryant was referencing the April 2013 night when he tore that tendon late in a win against the Golden State Warriors. Bryant famously made two free throws even though he was injured.
Bryant addressed the media while on crutches next to his locker, his eyes still wet with tears.