The Lakers are off Thursday, next playing the Hawks in Atlanta on Friday.
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No one in the Lakers’ locker room criticized Bryant’s shot selection.
The Philadelphia 76ers snapped their 18-game losing streak to start the National Basketball Association season, trumping the Los Angeles Lakers 103-91 in Kobe Bryant’s homecoming.
Jerami Grant contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots for Philadelphia, whose previous win came on March 25 at Denver.
“This feels good”, he said, “to finally put it together – come out, play a full 48 (minutes)”.
With his farewell tour underway, Bryant had the best game of his final season by far, finishing with 31 points in his first 30-plus point game since December of last season.
Sixers coach Brett Brown said it was “a true privilege” to be on hand for such an occasion, but he was focused more on his team and its victory. “We want a little bit more”.
Hours earlier, Bryant felt the love in Philadelphia as soon as he entered the arena. Bryant scored 20 points in defeat off of 7-for-26 shooting, including a woeful 4-for-17 behind the arc. “It was really, really special”. Then he missed an open three-point shot and airballed a freaky left-handed tear-drop attempt. Oh, you wouldn’t stray off Robert Covington to deny Jahlil Okafor a pass at the three-point line?
Sixers: At the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. “I camped out for those, man. You really saw us coming, huh?” He walked off to a standing ovation and chants of “Kobe!” Brown said Okafor, who has apologized for his recent decisions, will likely soon be accompanied by team security on public outings.
When asked if the reaction from fans has been more than he expected, Bryant laughed and said, “Yes, I thought everybody hated me”.
Can you make the argument the Sixers are better than the 2-15 Lakers? Yes.
Kobe: You know the “I’m sorry” ring I bought my wife is probably the same size as you are. He finished with 20 points and five rebounds and was cheered thoroughly all night long, despite missing all but four of his last 22 attempts. Prior to the opening tipoff, the Sixers honored the late Moses Malone, who passed away in September, and announced at halftime that his jersey number would be retired next season.
It wasn’t just the Philly fans that were enjoying the moment, either; some of the 76er players seemed to be caught up in Bryant’s now larger than life like aura.
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Despite having wishes of a not so formal retirement, those plans were out of the circle when Bryant was brought to the centre court where he was presented a framed No. 24 Lower Merion jersey from Dr. J and his high school coach.
