Kobe's final locker room snub

By Dan Elsom

news.com.au·

15 Apr, 2016 11:00 PM2 mins to read

Los Angeles Lakers' forward Kobe Bryant reacts during a video tribute to him before an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Photo / AP.

Kobe Bryant has always been just as ferocious off the court as he is on it.

The now retired LA Lakers star has never been one to mince his words - what Kobe thinks is what Kobe says, what he does, and who he is.

So why would his final outing for the Lakers be any different?

Following LA's 101-96 win over the Utah Jazz, the home locker room at the Staples Centre was so alive you would be forgiven for thinking the Lakers had just won the championship.

"I forgot about everything that was going on. I think the feeling was like we won a championship or something. They had the Champagne bottles after. But yeah, it was great,"

Lakers shooting guard Nick Young said in his exit interview.

After the celebrations however, Young's mood changed considerably.

A number of Bryant's teammates had sought the opportunity to get a piece of memorabilia signed by the Mamba to commemorate his incredible 60-point performance.

Bryant was signing practically anything that was put in front of him - with the exception of Young's offering.

The 30-year-old, an Adidas athlete, had taken a pair of his sponsor's shoes to the game to have signed. However, Bryant abruptly refused to put his name on the leather, instead throwing the trainers in the bin and telling Young to locate a pair of Nikes if he wanted the 18-time NBA All Star's autograph.

"Kobe signing autographs - we was all in line like we was fans, you know, in the locker room - the fact that he threw my Adidas and didn't sign my Adidas, I was a little disappointed in that," Young said.

"He could not end without something like that, so I think he threw my shoes in the trash, but yeah, that's Kobe for you."