Piece of Staples Center court from Kobe Bryant’s last NBA game sells for $179K

A section of the Staples Center floor from Kobe Bryant’s last NBA game sells for $179,100.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, last season was not focused on winning or developing young talent for the future, but instead celebrating the tremendous career of Kobe Bryant. The “Kobe Retirement Tour” culminated in perfect fashion with the Black Mamba dropping 60 points on 50 shots in his final game as a Laker against the Utah Jazz on April 13th.

For his final game, the Lakers created two special sections of floor, with his original number ‘8’ on one and then-current number ’24’ on the other. The piece of court with the number ‘8’ on it, which measures four feet by eight feet, was signed by Bryant himself after the game and sold in an online auction for $179,100 by a buyer whom wished to remain anonymous.

The piece of court with the number ‘8’ on it, which measures four feet by eight feet, was signed by Bryant himself after the game and sold in an online auction for $179,100 by a buyer whom wished to remain anonymous.

Normally, as casual observers, we scoff at the absurd prices most sports memorabilia sells for in auctions and wonder how anyone could rationalize such ridiculous behavior. Not in this case.

First of all, Kobe Bryant won five NBA Titles, an MVP award, and is arguably one of the ten best players to ever lace ’em up. The Mamba defined a generation of NBA players and became an icon during his 20 years in the league.

Secondly, this is an extremely rare and unique piece of memorabilia as it is one of a kind and there will never be anything produced just like it. Lastly, Kobe’s 60 points were the most scored by a player in his final game, making the game even more special and furthering its overall value.

The one question that has seemed to remain unanswered is, “Where do you put a four-foot by eight-foot section of the court in your house?” However, if you have $180k to spend on some hardwood, you more than likely have some extra space.

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