At private dinner for Kobe, stars offer wine and Netflix subscription
In the wee hours of Sunday morning in frozen Toronto, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony warmly celebrated Kobe Bryant's coming retirement with a private dinner.
In a story captured by Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press, The All-Stars gave Bryant gifts, including a bottle of wine, 1996 vintage, in honor of the year Bryant broke into the league. Wade presented him with a robe and other clothes bearing the Wade logo, as well as a year subscription to Netflix, an obvious nod to the large amount of free time Bryant will have as he settles into retirement.
Reynolds reported that Bryant gave a toast with these words to his fellow players at the dinner:
Kobe also added this serious note, according to Reynolds:
Reynolds noted that Paul supplied Bryant with numerous gifts that every retiree needs, including dental adhesive, reading glasses, compression socks and a cane. Anthony gave him a magnum of Gaja Barbaresco, Italian wine for the player who grew up in Italy and says much like vino itself, he got better with age.
Wade told Reynolds that throwing the lavish early morning dinner party was all about showing respect for one of the game's greatest all-time players:
Reynolds reported that Paul, Anthony and Wade started this gathering during last year's All-Star Weekend and dubbed it the Gentleman's Supper Club. It was certainly classy to invite Bryant and hold the dinner in his honor.
