“At best, maybe he’ll be a decent player in five years – if he’s still in the league”. Russell would end up scoring nine of the Laker’s last 11 points from regulation and into overtime.
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Said Russell: “It’s an honor for him to say something like that knowing he easily could’ve told coach he wanted that shot to add to his collection”. Fans have largely settled into a “losing is fine, as long as the kids play” mentality, which is indicative of a knowledgeable fan base that understands the complexities of rebuilding.
Through his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe has demonstrated the skill, leadership and sportsmanship of a champion.
But aside from the specifics of Bryant’s career, his announced retirement last week had me thinking about what Kobe means to the National Basketball Association and to the National Basketball Association fan.
After finishing high school and with a growing reputation as a standout young player, the 1996 NBA Draft, he was selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 13th overall pick of the 1996 NBA draft, and was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers where he would go on to become the star player of the franchise.
“We’ll still continue to develop them”, said Bryant, who argued his young teammates’ learning curve involves defending their opponents more than adjusting to his presence. Among them was former Warrior David Lee, who tallied 12 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes after missing the previous two games with a bruised right heel.
Byron Scott, however, had different ideas.
Despite his underwhelming performance throughout the first month-and-a-half of the season, it would be hard to argue Bryant’s legacy doesn’t deserve recognition on the All-Star stage one final time.
Lakers Nation responded by doing a synchronized facepalm and then blasting the internet with a level of rage that even Bruce Banner would suggest is unhealthy.
Kobe Bryant might be an All-Star one last time.
Garnett has fully assumed that role, only playing 19.6 minutes last season and 16.1 this season, allowing the youngsters to play the quality minutes to gain experience in real game situations.
So what gives? Did Scott finally come to his senses?
Of course, we all know how the rest of this went. “I don’t think it will get old”.
He got another standing O when he left the game for good with 24.6 seconds left, and he saluted the crowd with a pat on the chest and a wave.
Still, in spite of the backlash, Scott appeared set in his decision.
That is, until Kobe Bean Bryant did what no one else would.
In 2004, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven hard-fought games in an unforgettable Western Conference Finals.
Kobe was constantly crowned the youngest to break a lot of records in the National Basketball Association, but one that he may hold forever is the youngest to start in an All-Star game.
I still expect a comfortable Spurs W tonight, along with some good vibes for Kobe.
It was a loss, like everything else this season, 123-122 in overtime to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but D’Angelo Russell had 23 points and Julius Randle had 20 points and 12 rebounds two days after they lost their starting jobs.
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Bryant did not play after the 3:56 mark of the third quarter. What about Bryant logging 31.3 minutes per game?
