By Kendrick E. Johnson

Love him or hate him, every die-hard NBA fan is going to miss watching Kobe Bryant do his thing.

After spending two weeks with Bryant and the Lakers on his farewell tour, one gets the see how much the greatest Laker of all-time is respected by fans, peers, and coaches from around the league. Simultaneously, why Bryant’s 20th season will be his last as his game day routine consists of stretching and body massages instead of game preparation.

Despite the Lakers being destined for the lottery, the 18-time All-Star is embracing his farewell tour:
“It’s been fun to be able to enjoy each city one last time. I’ve laughed and joked around with the fans which is something I typically never do. I’m looking forward to the [All-Star Game], to be around the guys and get a chance to joke around with them a little bit, have some shooting games with them a little bit and get out there and play one more time.”

I first caught up with Bryant and the Lakers in December. Bryant had just made his retirement announcement and the Lakers had already knocked out six Eastern Conference cities where Bryant will never play again, including his beloved hometown of Philadelphia. Being around the Bryant for the 13-day road trip, it’s easy to see why the Lakers longest road trip since a nine-game trip in Feb. 2008 has been the most overwhelming and emotional of Bryant’s career. One can see how the Laker legend is soaking up and cherishing every final moment in each NBA city.

“It's been crazy man. It's been different, being on the road and experiencing [that]," Bryant said in Houston at his post-game press conference. “The acceptance and the thank-yous, it's been wonderful."

At the AT&T Center in San Antonio and the Toyota Center in Houston, fans in purple-and-gold shirts packed the stands and chanted the future Hall of Famer’s name at the top of their lungs. Fans instantly went crazy from the moment he entered the court for pre-game warm-ups until the conclusion.

Metta World Peace, Kobe's longtime teammate, had some thoughts on the praise Bryant is receiving compared to previous years.

"It's always like that with Kobe. It's honestly not new," World Peace said. "It was like that every year all the time -- [chants of] 'Ko-be, Ko-be!' Now this is his last year, so obviously, it's a little more electric, but it's always been like that."

With the Spurs and Rockets having legit championship aspirations, one would think players on those respective teams would take offense that their local fan bases are in essence rooting against them. But they’re not, because just like the fans, the players and coaches know there’s only one K-O-B-E.

"I was chanting his name, too," James Harden said Saturday after the Rockets win over the Lakers, 126-97, at Toyota Center. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance that you're going to see this guy play again. I haven't had the chance to see Michael [Jordan] play in person, but [Kobe is] a modern Michael."

To ensure he can play as many games as possible and perform at a high level, Bryant rarely attends shootarounds or practices these days. Other Lakers' players are getting up shots, but the retiring Bryant is getting his body stretched and worked on so that he can leave a positive lasting impression,

All of Bryant’s pregame work paid off. He was able to follow his 12-point performance on 5-of-12 shooting in San Antonio with 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in three-quarters in Houston to close out the grueling road trip. When Bryant was pressed about whether he was he upset about not being able to play in the fourth quarter of the Houston game, he simply smiled and said “I’m not worried about that. I’ve had plenty of those games before; this is the end for me now.”

I caught up again with Bryant during the Lakers' four-game home stand. The second game against the Spurs marked the 10-year anniversary of Kobe Bryant's 81-point outburst against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center. Despite remembering almost every detail of the historic night, the NBA’s second-highest scoring performance behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, Bryant still has no blueprint on how to score points at such a record pace.

“There’s really no explanation for it,” Bryant said after scoring 5 points in a loss to the Spurs.  “You can always explain it from an X’s and O’s standpoint and training standpoint, but when nights like that happen, there’s always something mystical about it.”

Against the Dallas Mavericks, Bryant was forced to sit out due to his various ailments. Although the week ended quietly, the Black Mamba is at peace with his basketball mortality, and we should all embrace him because after April 13 there will be no more Kobe Bean Bryant to respect and appreciate.

“I feel very at peace about [retirement], and I’m just wondering when it’s really going to hit – or if it is because I’m very much at peace with my decision,” Bryant said. “I can certainly bring myself to that place, but when I think about it:  I’m thankful to have been here, I’m thankful to have enjoyed all these memories, so there’s no reason to be sitting and dwelling on it.  I’m just thankful for the time I’ve had.”