'Childhood gone': Hoops fans get emotional over final Kobe vs. LeBron

With the Lakers so lousy this year, plenty of people failed to prepare for, or care about, the (likely) final matchup between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

That is, until they realized this could be it. Really.

Then all the hoops fans got emotional ... and funny ... and just plain lit.

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Me every time Kobe plays Lebron pic.twitter.com/boKsgfMVuy
— Matty Ice (@_MattGreen10) March 11, 2016

Because it's the last time Kobe plays LeBron #KOBEvLEBRON

NIKE MVPuppets "Three Rings" (in HD) https://t.co/HUL9x4QSBB
— karinajoya (@karinajoyaa) March 11, 2016

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Forget Kobe vs Lebron. The real matchup tonight is Dellavedova vs Huertas #MVPs #NotAllGoatsLiveOnFarms pic.twitter.com/nqzc5ZB4wG
— Shia Lebeef (@CJunior_Horn) March 11, 2016

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Ready for the final chapter of LeBron-Kobe ? pic.twitter.com/goFKBXJORL
— SportsNation (@SportsNation) March 11, 2016

.@Cavs coach Tyronn Lue offers up one of his favorite Kobe memories prior to Thursday's game.
https://t.co/FzDiua1TU9
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) March 11, 2016