The end of an era is finally here, and a new one begins.

For the first time in two decades, both the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers will not see legend Kobe Bryant suit up for a game of basketball, now or later.

Bryant retired after scoring 60 points in his last game back in April, and he has moved on to other ventures in life outside of the NBA.

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That doesn't mean the game has forgotten about him or what he has done in that 20-year time span.

The NBA pieced together a montage of coaches and players who sent well wishes to The Black Mamba on his 38th Birthday, and their appreciation for his contributions to the game of basketball: