Let's take a look at some of the numbers that define Kobe Bryant's career. He spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, which ties him for fourth place for most years played in the NBA, but he ranks first among guards. He led LA to five championships during that time, and was named Finals MVP in both 2009 and 2010.

Kobe was also the league's Regular Season MVP in 2008, and earned 18 All-Star Game selections over the course of his career. Another unforgettable moment would be the 81 points he poured in versus the Toronto Raptors in 2006, the second-best scoring performance in NBA history.

Kobe poured in 81 points versus the Toronto Raptors in 2006

But his finale against the Utah Jazz is a perfect bookend, as the Black Mamba struck for 60 points on Wednesday, and sparked the Lakers to a comeback victory that Hollywood couldn't have scripted any better. Bryant finishes his career as the number three scorer in league history, and for more on his remarkable career, here's Damion Jones.

The first guard to ever be drafted straight out of high school, Kobe Bryant was chosen as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in June 1996, before being traded to the L.A. Lakers, where he spent his entire NBA career.

Eight months later, Kobe participated in the Rookie Challenge and won the Slam Dunk contest during All-Star Weekend, becoming the youngest-ever champion of that event, at the age of 18.

The following season, he became the youngest All-Star Game starter in NBA history. His 15.4 points per game average was also the highest among reserves for any team during the 1997-98 campaign.

After years of steady improvement, he blossomed into one of the league's premier shooting guards, and the Lakers rose to the top of the Association, led by Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, as they won three consecutive titles from 2000 through 2002.

On December 23, 2007, Kobe became the youngest player to reach 20,000 career points -- that milestone coming in a game against the New York Knicks.

In 2010, Bryant led Lakers back from a 13-point third quarter deficit in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to take down the Boston Celtics and claim back to back titles. This would mark his fifth trophy overall, accentuated by his second straight Finals MVP award.

But Kobe would suffer through a string of injuries starting in 2013, when he missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Bryant was determined to return, and on December 14, 2014, he became the NBA's third all-time leading scorer, passing the one and only Michael Jordan. But still bothered by health issues, the 37-year-old finally decided to call it a career this season, leaving fans cherishing each of his remaining moments on the court.