Photos:: Kobe Bryant on the road to retirement

Kobe Bryant hugs the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook after a game in Oklahoma City on April 11.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd as he is introduced before a game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant walks the hallway as he comes back out to the court during halftime against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant high-fives fans as he returns to the court during halftime against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Fans reach out to Kobe Bryant as he walks back onto the court during halftime against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant watches introductions from the bench before a game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant laughs with teammates before a game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant leaves the Skirvin Hilton as fans take photographs and seek autograpghs beofre boarding the bus in Oklahoma City on Monday.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Fans wait for Lakers Kobe Bryant outside the Skirvin Hilton before he boards the bus in Oklahoma City.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant waves goodbye to fans after a game against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant has a little fun with Rockets star James Harden after the game in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd as he leaves the court for the last time against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Former Rocket Hakeem Olajuwon and Lakers star Kobe Bryant greet each other after the game in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers star Kobe Bryant is introduced for the last time before a game against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant talks on the phone in the locker room before a game against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant’s shoes sit in front of his locker before a game against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant checks his phone as he soaks his feet in a bucket of ice water before a game with the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant and trainer Gary Vitti share a laugh in the locker room before a game against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant gets a massage from physical therapist Judy Seto before a game agiainst the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant prepares for a game with the Rockets in the locker room as trainer Gary Vitti looks on in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Laker Kobe Bryant poses for a selfie with two Rockets fans during halftime in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Young pregame performers react as Kobe Bryant approaches before a game with the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Laker Kobe Bryant, left, watches fans cheer as he walks to the court during a game with the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Laker Kobe Bryant walks by a young Rockets fan as he makes his way to the court during halftime in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Laker Kobe Bryant receives a gift after a game against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Laker Kobe Bryant hugs security guard Salvatore Chillemi after a game against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Laker Kobe Bryant arrives on the team bus before a game against the Rockets in Houston.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant sits at his locker as he preapres for the Lakers’ game againstthe Pelicans in New Orleans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Fans hold a ‘KOBE’ sign as the Lakers take the court at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jason Jobert waits patiently with other fans for Lakers star Kobe Bryant in hopes of getting an autograph after the game in New Orleans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jonathan Aldy takes his son, 4-year-old Abel, to his first NBA game as the Lakers take the court for Kobe Bryant’s final game in New Orleans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The New Orleans mascot pays a visit toKobe Bryant as he warms up for the game against the Pelicans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant laughs as he joins the huddle before taking the court against the host Pelicans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant greets friends before the Lakers’ game against the Pelicans in New Orleans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant waves goodbye to fans as the Lakers leave the court following their loss to the Pelicans in the future Hall-of-Famers final game in New Orleans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant walks down a hallway at Smoothie King Center after the Lakers’ game against the Pelicans.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant sits on the Lakers’ bus before leaving the arena in New Orleans for the last time as a player.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, left, and Kobe Bryant share a laugh after a game at Staples Center on March 30.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Fans hold signs as Kobe Bryant warms-up before a game with the Jazz in Salt Lake City on March 28.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant is all smiles as a video is played honoring him before a game with the Jazz in Salt Lake City on March 28.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant gets into the back of a private vehicle with his security team while leaving the arena in Phoenixon March 23.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant greets an excited young fan after a game with the Suns in Phoenix on March 23.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant signs a pair of shoes for a fan after a game against the Suns in Phoenix on March 23.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Former basketball legend Ann Myers hugs Lakers Kobe Bryant after a game against the Suns in Phoenix on March 23.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant walks off the court for the last time after a game agianst the Suns in Phoenix on March 23.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant hugs Knicks Carmelo Anthony’s son, Kiyan, after the game at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant warms up outside the locker room before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant laughs while stretching in the trainers room before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant sits on the trainer’s table while going through a stretching exercise before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant goes through a stretching exercise before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant watches a track meet on television as he waits for guests to arrive in a private room befoe a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant looks at his phone as he waits for guests in a private room before a game with the Knicks at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant waits to be interviewed by radio personality Vic “The Brick” Jacobs in a private room at the Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers Kobe Bryant runs on to the court as fans try to reach out before a game with the Suns.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant and the Cavaliers LeBron James hug after the last time they faced each other on the court at Staples Center, March 10.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant heads to the court for the last time in Denver before a game againstthe Nuggetson March 2, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers fans watch Kobe Bryant warm up before a game againstthe Nuggets in Denver on March 2, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant, center, listens to the national anthem before his last game in Denver on March 2, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant listens to the national anthem before hisfinal game in Denver on March 2, 2106.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant smiles as he leaves the courtafter his final game in Denver on March 2, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant prepares to sign an autograph for a fan at Pepsi Center after his last gamein Denver on March 2, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant listens to a reporter askhim if he will “shut it down” because of his injured right shoulder during a news conference in Denver on March 2, 2016. Bryant only played in the first half of a 117-107 loss to the Nuggets.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers star Kobe Bryant walks through the Westin Hotel lobby beforea game against the Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 24, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers reserve guard Lou Williams walks to the team’s bus as Kobe Bryant rides in a personal vehicle outside the Westin Hotel before theirgame against the Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 24, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers star Kobe Bryant waves to a cheering crowd from a vehicle outside the Westin Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., beforea game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 24, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A crowd cheers as Lakers star Kobe Bryant leaves the Westin Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., in a personal vehicle to head to the arena for a game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 24, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant talks to the media before the Lakers played the Grizzlies in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 24, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant, center, leaves FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., for the last time as a Laker after a game against the Grizzlies on Feb. 24, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers star Kobe Bryant and Grizzlies forward Vince Carter greet each other after a game in Memphis, Tenn., on Feb. 24, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forwardKobe Bryant gets a standing ovation from the crowd at Oracle Arena as he exits a game against the Warriors on Jan. 14, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward Kobe Bryant stretches next to an ad at Oracle Arena in Oakland before a game against the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 14, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant heads to the Oracle Arena locker room after the Lakers lost the Warriors, 116-98, in his final game in Oakland on Jan. 14, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant wipes his face as he leaves the Sleep Train Arena locker room at halftime during a Lakers game against the Kings in Sacramento on Jan. 7, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant walks off the court to the locker room at halftime of a 118-115 loss to the Kings at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento on Jan. 7, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant hugs former Lakers teammateand current Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton after a game in Oakland on Jan. 14, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant waves to the crowd at Oracle Arena while being introduced before the Lakers playedthe Warriors on Jan. 14, 2016.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)