Earlier Wednesday, Bryant engaged in a 15-minute question-and-answer session with reporters in which he reflected on the Lakers-Celtics rivalry, how Boston’s victory over L.A.in the 2008 Finals pushed him late in his career, and what he expects during his final stop in Boston.
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Arrested During Protest at Mummers Parade
In another incident, a spectator filmed one of the parade’s members screaming “Fuck the gays!” ‘Hurtful to many Philadelphians. He told the Philadelphia Daily News the men, who punched him in the face also called him a “f–t”.
Bryant’s final trip to Boston as a player offered a time to reflect on all the memories, harrowing, great and otherwise.
Natural disaster felt on BC’s South Coast
Witnesses in Vancouver said they saw buildings shaking downtown and early reports are saying the quake was a magnitude of 4.9. The US Geological Service confirmed the quake hit at around 11:40 p.m. and was centered off the west side of Sidney Island.
Kobe Bryant actually had a double-double in this one, despite not being much of a rebounder. The Celtics, who were led by Isaiah Thomas’ 24 points and Evan Turner’s 20 points, had the 27-24 lead after the first quarter but their defence fell off in the second quarter where the Lakers outscored them, 34-29, to grab the slim 58-56 lead at halftime.
National Championship matchup has been set
Alabama can feel secure in a key advantage, one on clear display in the victory against Michigan State. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson showed off the Orange Bowl trophy after defeating Oklahoma.
“I remember my daughter was having a hard time in softball in a semifinal game, striking out, and she was crying”. Yes, he did drop 15 points, but he hit just. The kind of stereotypical Celtic fan you don’t want to talk basketball with because I’ll either spend lengthy amounts of time ripping my team or telling you how much better they are than whatever team you happen to root for, it just depends on the circumstances. It really was. And Bryant loved it.
The story is familiar now; on draft day the Lakers made a deal with the Hornets to draft the then 17 year old Bryant so that another team would not pick him.
Before the game, Bryant rose from the bench, according to SB Nation, and Celtics fans pitched into his farewell tour by giving him a standing ovation.
I went on to explain in more general terms that the players are still human beings and they should be good sports and be nice to other teams when they are playing against them. At times, both youngsters carried the Lakers, particularly a struggling Kobe Bryant, who finished with 15 points on 18 field-goal attempts.
After their most heavily traveled December ever – 13 road games – they get nearly the flip side of that in January – 12 home games. “I’m grateful for the city of Boston and the fans and the organization”. “Even though I don’t root for Kobe and I’m not a fan of his, I can see how good of a player he is”. Then when you are in that situation, especially in 2010, it’s like I don’t want to be the player years from now where the Lakers lost twice against the Celtics; I don’t want to be that guy. “It’s fine”, he told her. “You just have to bounce back”. When Kobe touched the ball he was booed, and when he made shots he was cheered. “And so this new middle-third, the second-third, is just a chance for us to continue to grow along that path. I expect us to find some wins”.
“For the second half of my career, it’s the most important piece, ” he said. From the singing of the songs, the shaking of the bus going back to the hotel, that stuff really stuck with me.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT: “This place is always special to me”.
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The Celtics Lakers rivalry goes well beyond Kobe Bryant but he revitalized the rivalry after it disappeared for years.
