Steph Curry hails retiring NBA great Kobe Bryant

Steph Curry said Kobe Bryant "means something to everybody" and a host of NBA stars have also saluted the retiring Los Angeles Lakers iconic ahead of the final game of his illustrious career.

Eighteen-time All-Star Bryant will take to the court to the final time when the Lakers face Utah Jazz at Staples Center on Wednesday.

Bryant, 37, is regarded by many as one of the greatest players of all time and Golden State Warriors star Curry has paid tribute to the five-time NBA champion ahead of his swansong.

Curry said: "Kobe means something to everybody individually. As basketball fans, including us as players.

"So you kind of have a lot of different thoughts on what he means to the game and how he inspired you and myself growing up. So I'll remember that for sure."

Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas was also full of praise for Bryant.

"The greatest player of my time. Somebody that's changed the game in so many ways," said Thomas.

"The game of basketball's going to miss him. Like I always say, I just thank him for all he's done. He's impacted so many people's lives he doesn't even know."

Atlanta Hawks' Paul Millsap added: "To me, it's maybe on the top three legacies of all-time, in sports history.

"The things that's he's accomplished, the way he revolutionised the game, the way he approached the game, he attitudes towards getting better and working hard; it's amazing."

Curry's team-mate Draymond Green hailed the impact Bryant has made on the game and him personally.

"He's meant so much to the game. You know growing up in the era that I did, Kobe was 'that guy," Green stated.

"So to play in an All-Star game with him. I mean that's special. I grew up a Kobe fan. So to...that's something special to me."

Washington Wizards' John Wall said: "It's a great legacy. When it goes down for the record books. All his hard work, his dedication, his love for the basketball, how much he put into.

"To still be able to go out there and compete on his last ride and to still be able to get 20 or 30 points on any given night, shows how much he has great footwork and all that he has a fondness to the game of basketball.

"It's a last ride that everybody's enjoying and he's definitely enjoying it."