What one word would you use to describe Kobe Bryant?

Atlanta knows something about athletes retiring after 20 years with the same team: hint Chipper Jones.

Tonight is Kobe Bryant's final game as a Los Angeles Laker. The 18-time All-Star has won five championships. He ranks 8th in NBA history in points per per game (34.5) and at one point scored 81 (Jan. 22, 2006).

"Black Mamba" is a nickname Bryant gave himself after watching Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill,” in which the aggressive snake's name was used as a code name for a deadly assassin.

Nike gathered alums to ask their impressions of Bryant. Declaring today MambaDay, some of today's top athletes used words like "comptetitor," "example" and "[expletive]" to decribe the longtime Laker.

So on this day, what one word would you use to describe Bryant? (Keep it clean, please.)

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Hawks sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari announces retirement

Gallinari suited up for the Hawks for two seasons and 117 games, where he averaged 12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game.

We have liftoff: Hawks’ Houstan shows off hops with highlight dunk

Hawks guard Caleb Houstan scored a running dunk in a Skyhawks game on Tuesday morning, proving he still has bounce despite his NBA reputation as a shooter.

Good, bad, ugly: Hawks show fight vs. Pistons, but rebounding woes hurt

Though their efforts will be marked in the loss column, the Hawks say they hang their hats on their fight and will learn from Monday night’s missteps.

The Latest

Credit: TNS

Former Hawks sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari announces retirement

We have liftoff: Hawks’ Houstan shows off hops with highlight dunk

Good, bad, ugly: Hawks show fight vs. Pistons, but rebounding woes hurt

Featured

Credit: Ben Hendren

Report: Traffic fatalities outpace homicides in metro Atlanta

Analysis draws comparison between the two, pointing out that roadway deaths should be more preventable than violence, with proven safety upgrades that can prevent them.

Publix to close two Atlanta area stores, including longtime Midtown location

Publix will shutter two of its metro Atlanta stores on Dec. 27.

Nation’s No. 1 QB prospect ‘disappointed’ in Tuesday’s leak of flip to Vandy

Jared Curtis, who will play for a state championship in Tennessee this week, delivered a sense of finality to his college recruiting process late Tuesday: He is a Commodore.