Kobe Bryant ends his career Wednesday on a mellow note

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Kobe Bryant leaves a news conference with a laugh after a game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on April 11. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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

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

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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)

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

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

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

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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)

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

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

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

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

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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)

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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)

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

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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)

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

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

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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)

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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)

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

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

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

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

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

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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)

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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)

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

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

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

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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)

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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

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

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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)

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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)

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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

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

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

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

By Mike Bresnahan

April 12, 2016 5:03 PM PT

The goodbye tour finally says farewell.

Kobe Bryant will walk off the court one last time Wednesday, capping a 20-year career that included seven NBA Finals trips and five championships.

He used to be driven to catch Michael Jordan at six titles. It consumed him, bothered him, forced him to the local track on hot July days while the rest of the NBA partied in Las Vegas, the Bahamas and any other place that wouldn’t dare consider early-morning workouts.

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The fact Bryant no longer cares about falling one championship short is a good indicator. It’s time to retire.

Tickets in secondary markets range from $700 to $10,000 for Wednesday’s game at Staples Center against Utah, the latter price not quite getting you a courtside seat.

Bryant, 37, played the role of ambassador since announcing his retirement intentions, cheered in enemy arenas that historically despised him (Philadelphia, Boston, San Antonio) and collecting special gifts by the armful.

His play has fallen off badly — he leads the Lakers in scoring at 16.9 points a game but is shooting a career-low 35.4% — and yet he’s been introspective and charming in interviews across the country with reporters.

The bizarre backdrop is the Lakers’ unsightly 16-65 record, the worst in the franchise’s long, successful history. Everybody around him says Bryant is “at peace” with his decision to retire, the losses no longer affecting him like they did in the past.

Where there used to be anger, there’s now appreciation.

“I’ve seen the city grow, I’ve seen the city develop and vice versa,” Bryant recently said wistfully.

About 25 of his former teammates will be there — from Shaquille O’Neal to DJ Mbenga — and the pregame ceremony will include a three-minute tribute video but no public display of gifts from the Lakers, as per Bryant’s request.

He has already received some priceless goods on his final lap, including a slab of the Garden court from the Boston Celtics, a giant framed Lower Merion High jersey from Philadelphia, an elite five-day Napa Valley vacation from Golden State and a decade-long pass to all U.S. national parks from the Utah Jazz, along with a VIP experience for his family at the park of their choosing.

Teammate Metta World Peace, who was on board for Bryant’s last championship in 2010, gave thanks to Bryant via an animal analogy that only he could deliver. World Peace, for the uninitiated, likes to be called the Panda’s Friend.

“As the king of all pandas, playing against and with the Black Mamba — you know, the poisonous snake — I’ve experienced the ultimate effect of the venom as an opponent and as a teammate,” he said.

“And I’ve seen the effect that the venom had on other opponents. He’s been spitting his venom for 20 years. A lot of the opponents shriveled up as if you poured salt on a worm. You ever see the worms go squiggle, squiggle, squiggle? His venom has done that. And I’m just excited that the panda, who was never really affected by that venom, is actually on the same side as the Black Mamba, one of the most dangerous snakes in the world.”

Thank you, Metta?

Not to be forgotten, longtime Lakers trainer Gary Vitti is also retiring Wednesday. His tenure lasted 32 years and included eight championships in 12 trips to the NBA Finals.

He chose to paraphrase General Douglas MacArthur when asked about his final game on the Lakers’ bench.

“Old athletic trainers never die. They just fade away,” he said, his last one-liner as a full-timer. He’ll be a consultant with the team for two more years.

The Lakers will move on without Bryant, who makes $25 million this season. They’ll have plenty of money to spend on free agents this summer and a 55.8% chance of keeping their top-three protected draft pick on lottery night.

Things won’t be quite the same without Bryant. There have been few like him in the past. There will be even fewer like him in the future.

Up next

LAKERS VS. UTAH

When: 7:30.

Where: Staples Center.

On the air: TV: ESPN2, TWC SportsNet, TWC Deportes; Radio: 710, 1330.

Records: Lakers 16-65, Jazz 40-41.

Record vs. Jazz: 0-3.

Update: Utah needs a victory and a Houston loss to Sacramento to squeak into the playoffs as the Western Conference’s eighth and final team. The Jazz dropped a costly home game Monday against Dallas and also lost shot-blocking center Rudy Gobert to an ankle injury. He was seen on crutches afterward. The Lakers were pummeled at Utah last month, 123-75, matching their worst loss in their 68-year history.

Follow Mike Bresnahan on Facebook and Twitter @Mike_Bresnahan

Times staff writer Lindsey Thiry contributed to this report.