Rockets: Trevor Ariza was back in the starting lineup after missing Houston’s last game with a bruised lower back, which snapped a streak of 172 straight games played…. There is a pretty high chance that the five-time National Basketball Association champion will be voted in, considering that this will be his past year in the National Basketball Association. Had Bryant not announced his retirement, it could be an issue to have a below-average player getting a starter spot for the second year in a row. If anything has marked a change of the guard, it’s that.
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But the interactions between Bryant and Howard did not seem fuzzy. The Lakers also struggled to defend Houston without fouling, sending the Rockets to the line for 28 free throws.
Bryant admitted that he was hard on Howard because he wanted to push him to reach his full potential. He said his regimen throughout the team’s eight-games-in-12-days road trip, which concluded Saturday, evolved so that he spent more time on his treadmill to keep his legs fresh.
“He (the specialist) was kind of surprised that I’ve been playing on it”, Carroll added.
Even in his old age, Bryant’s presence and resume alone has still managed to dominate in such a way that head coach Byron Scott blatantly bends his personal rules to accommodate the Black Mamba, and fans still hold out hope that every night he performs he will erupt and show a glimpse of the player that used to be. “And it was heartfelt the things that he said out there”. He made more than half his shots (nine of 16) for the first time this season.
Bryant and Garnett watched from the bench as the young core for both teams went back and forth during the final minutes. Bryant had probably his best game of the season, and it was part of an encouraging trend of him playing within the team more and forcing his own shots less.
Bryant, whose career swan song will continue for the rest of the season, appeared to enjoy himself despite shooting 5-for-13 for 11 points.
“You could have a little bit of a correlation to it”, Scott said.
San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green (14) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Antonio.
“It was great for both of us”, Bryant said.
True Timberwolves fans certainly we’re happy that he wasn’t on the court, of course, because last night would have been a totally different story. Right now, I’d say China, there’s still Kobe and everyone else. I’m channeling the game of a legend you guys! With stars like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili nearing the end of their careers, they have gotten young blood with the combination of Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge who have been excellent this season. “Words can’t describe the amount of respect I have for him”.
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Wolves interim coach Sam Mitchell was coaching the Raptors the night Bryant scored 81, but he has been loath to relive that game. The second unit went on a 12-0 run to close the first, though, and the Spurs went into the second with a 31-27 lead.
