With a pair of foul shots, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant surpasses Hall of Famer Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list. However, it was a bittersweet moment for the Black Mamba as the achievement may be his last.

At the 5:24 minute mark of the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bryant scored two free-throws and stepped into the third rank of the National Basketball Association's all-time scoring list.

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With those two shots, he showed how far he has travelled in the 19 seasons with the NBA, but also how little he has left on his basketball journey.

Bryant has said that he only really thinks about the scoring feat when he is asked about it. He just goes out and plays. However, for the cool that Bryant has showed approaching the historic moment, those close to him know that there is a greater feeling there than what he really shows.

"I know it's big for him" Lakers guard Nick Young said, per Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles. "He can say what he wants but I know he looks at it and to beat someone you look up to is a great feeling."

Jordan also congratulated Bryant, commending his ability, work ethic, and saying that he can't wait to see what he will accomplish next.

With all the talk of achievements, rings, and points, Bryant has a different view. For him, "... the true beauty is in the journey."

The reality though is a bleak one. The Lakers have been on a slow decline with a 55-loss franchise record last season, and wins coming at an even slower pace now.

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak told NBA.com's David Aldridge that Bryant's two-year contract may be it.

Any hopes of another championship should be done quick, and fewer solutions found in Bryant's teammates, they need to pull together or fall apart.

Either way, Bryant's achievement is one that should be savoured in the basketball world, as it may well be his last.

TagsMichael Jordan, Los Angeles Lakers, All-time scoring list