5 best farewell match performances by NBA players: Where does Kobe Bryant's 60-point haul rank?

#3 Reggie Miller

A sharp shooter before the dawn of the Step Curry-led NBA shooting era, Reggie Miller ranks pretty high among the best NBA players of all time discourse. In the NBA season of 1990, Reggie averaged 24.6 points and 41 percent three-pointers made.

Despite his greatness, Miller never won a ring. He came awfully close several times. In the 1998 NBA Finals, the Reggie-led Indiana Pacers almost beat the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the 1999-00 postseason, the Indiana Pacers lost to the Phil Jackson-coached LA Lakers in the NBA Finals.

Reggie Miller (left) and Ray Allen (right) during the NBA Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony

Reggie played in the playoffs 15 times in his career; he even retired from being an NBA player in the playoffs. On May 19, 2005, Indian Pacers clashed with the Detroit Pistons in the sixth game of second round playoffs. Reggie scored 27 points and had a three point percentage of 50.

Lights are on at the MSG and its your time to dance.What a story. #30for30Winning Time.@ReggieMillerTNT pic.twitter.com/ZKwBkdazPs

— Abircfc (@abir_cfc) July 25, 2021

Larry Bird watched from the sidelines as fellow Future Hall of Fame player Reggie Miller bid farewell to a weeping crowd stupefied on their feet.

#2 Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant after his farewell match waves a good-bye to the fans

The 6' 6" shooting guard, Kobe Bryant, is perhaps the most famous NBA player in the world after Michael Jordan. His fame is mentioned in the present tense because Kobe lives on through his game and his name even after his tragic demise.

His mamba mentality inspired ballers and enthusiasts all over the world, his matches were more thrilling than any terminator movie. His unshakable spirit and love for basketball touched lives beyond the sports or the NBA league.

"I'm like, 'Kobe Bryant thinks I can do this?' ... I had to do it."Giannis reflected on the challenge he got from Kobe. pic.twitter.com/PjARFFbzZZ

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 21, 2021

An 18 time NBA All-Star, five time NBA championship winner, two times NBA Finals MVP, and four times NBA All-Star MVP, Kobe's career is heavy with records and accolades.

Regarded as one of the greatest scorers of the game, Bryant had a career high of 81 points against the Toronto Raptors. Mirroring his unbelievable career, Kobe scored an unprecedented 60 points against the Utah Jazz in his NBA farewell match. Shaquille O'Neal famously challenged Kobe to drop 50 points and Bryant scored 60. There could not have been a better way for Mamba to leave the league.

#1 David Robinson

As far as NBA farewell match performances go, David Robinson sits atop the ladder. The San Antonio Spurs legend has won two NBA Championships, one ROTY and one regular season MVP. He appeared in six NBA All-Star games, had a Scoring Title and a Rebounding Title.

David Robinson (second from left)

David Robinson began as a defensive asset to his team. His dominance over the paint was unrivaled and his rebounding abilities were comparable to Shaquille O'Neal and Dennis Rodman.

In his farewell game, David Robinson faced the New Jersey Nets in the seventh game of the 2002-03 NBA Finals. David Robinson scored 13 points and snatched 17 rebounds in the electric match and ensured a San Antonio Spurs win. Winning his second championship in his last NBA game is the greatest farewell match performance ever.