Los Angeles was gearing up to bid an emotionally charged farewell to NBA icon Kobe Bryant on Wednesday as the Lakers legend prepared for the final game of his 20-year career. Hollywood celebrities and legends of the sport were expected to be among a sell-out crowd of 18,000 fans packed into the Staples Center as Bryant laces up for the 1,566th and last time. Around 400 journalists from around the world are descending on Los Angeles for the game against the Utah Jazz, compared to the 125 members of the media who normally cover Lakers games.
