Farewell Speech (Mamba Out)

Man!

(audience applauds)

I can't believe how fast 20 years went by. I mean it's just crazy. This is absolutely crazy. To be standing here center court with you guys, my teammates behind me, and appreciating all this, you know, the journey that we've been on. We've been through our ups, we've been through our downs. I think the most important part is that we've all stayed together throughout.

I grew up a die-hard, I mean a die-hard, Laker fan. Die-hard. I knew everything about every player that has played here. So to be drafted and then traded to this organization and to spend 20 years here — I mean, you can't write something better than this.

I'm more proud about the fact that—not about the championships, but about the the down years. Because we didn't run. We didn't run, we played through all that stuff, and we got our championship — and we did it the right way. All I can do here is just thank you guys, thank you guys for all the support, thank you guys for the motivation, thank you guys for the inspiration.

You know what's funny? The thing that had me cracking up all night long was that I go through 20 years of everybody screaming pass the ball and on the last night everybody's like "don't pass it!"(Laughter)

This has been, this has been absolutely beautiful. I can't believe it comes to an end. You guys will always be in my heart. I sincerely, sincerely appreciate it. No words can describe how I feel about you guys. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God – I love you guys. I love you guys.

My family. To my family, my wife Vanessa, my daughters Natalia and Gianna, thank you guys for all your sacrifices. For all the hours I spend in the gym, working and training. And Vanessa, you holding down the family like the way you have; I can't thank you enough, there is no way I can thank you enough for that. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

What can I say, Mamba out.
(Drops mic)