Kobe Bryant still struggles to process his 60-point game in career finale

Former Lakers guard Kobe Bryant struggled explaining his 60-point performance in his career finale during an appearance for NBA2K on Wednesday. Photo by Mark Medina, Southern California News Group.

Former Lakers guard Kobe Bryant struggled explaining his 60-point performance in his career finale during an appearance for NBA2K on Wednesday. Photo by Mark Medina, Southern California News Group.

The shots kept dropping into the basket, capturing the same prolific play that Kobe Bryant produced through five NBA championship runs and countless game winners.

So it only seemed fitting that Bryant would end his 20-year NBA career with a 60-point point performance that entailed him taking shots from seemingly everywhere. He became the NBA’s third-time leading scorer by making countless difficult shots through double teams or far away from the basket. He became one of the game’s ultimate closers for showing the same determination to allow the final outcome to rest on his shoulders both for better and for worse. And he became one of the most enduring players through his quest in both innovating his game and playing through endless injuries.

All of those elements went into play when Bryant dropped 60 points in his career-finale, both to lift the Lakers to a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center and tie for his fifth largest scoring performance. As those moments unfolded, it seemed like a dream. Bryant apparently feels the same way nearly two months later.

“I still can’t believe that happened,” Bryant said on Wednesday at an event in downtown Los Angeles to promote NBA2K17. “I don’t know where the hell it came from.”

It came from a lot of things.

Bryant went 23-of-50 from the field, which eclipsed his previous record of 47 shot attempts against Boston on Nov. 7, 2002. He scored 15 of the team’s last 17 points. He scored seven points in a 53-second sequence, including a drive to the basket, two foul shots and a 20-foot fadeaway.

The 37-year-old star pulled off these stunts despite a few set of tough circumstances following his way. He had missed his first five shots in the game. He had averaged 17.6 points per game on a career-low 35.8 percent shooting all season. Only a week beforehand, he had struggled lifting his right shoulder because of the season-long soreness in that area.

“My kids got the change to experience the younger Kobe for once,” Bryant said, referring to his two daughters, Natalie and Gianna. “I got a chance to be cool in front of them for once.”

Bryant did that many times to many NBA fans.

That explains why he appeared on the cover of the NBA2K17 Legends edition, which will be available in both digital and physical formats for $79.99 on Playstation4 and Xbox one beginning in September.

“I never would’ve thought this would happen growing up as a kid,” Bryant said. “This a dream come true being on the cover.”

It also explained why Bryant inspired a legion of NBA players to emulate his mentality. That included Indiana Pacers forward Paul George, who constantly leaned on Bryant both on how to evolve his game and deal with frustration with recent injuries.

“His tenacity. That’s why I love him and play the way that I play the game,” said George, who landed on the cover of the regular NBA2K17 edition. “One statement that always stood out: you (Kobe) said guys are going to embarrass you. But you live for those matchups.”

Bryant also lived for the matchups that allowed him to flourish.

So even if his last game did not end in hoisting a championship trophy, Bryant arguably ended his 20-year career by still capturing his greatness. He did it so well that even Bryant still struggles processing it all.

RELATED:

NBA Draft: What will Lakers do with No. 2 pick?

Magic Johnson reiterates Kobe Bryant is the “greatest Laker of all time”

Lakers’ Kobe Bryant offers vintage performance in career finale

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com