After the Lakers’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, Bryant was asked about which number he would like to see raised into the rafters at STAPLES Center.
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The Los Angeles Lakers weren’t great that season, but they wasn’t too bad. “Him taking it over towards the end and making those shots, it was insane”. At this point, however, it’s clear Russell has no one challenging him for minutes. And that’s a fact that isn’t lost on even his most vehement detractors, i.e. just about every opposing team’s fan-base, as he continues to receive warm receptions at each stop along his retirement tour. I said, ‘You really did.’ He said, ‘I know. “That’s what it’s going to be like wherever he goes”. Against the Lakers, the Wizards had 12 turnovers in the first half and finished with 23 turnovers that led to 33 Lakers points. While the Hawks held only a modest lead after the first quarter (due to 39% shooting in their own right), the run was coming.
He will not be the only one feeling Bryant’s absence when he retires.
Marcin Gortat added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who have dropped four of five despite erasing an early 19-point deficit.
The crowd also got behind him with chants of “Kobe” as Wizards guard Garrett Temple said “basically the whole damn crowd was behind him”.
“He played one-on-one defense”, Bryant told Johnson, via SB Nation. It all comes to an end for all of us. “Weirdest game I’ve ever coached”, Scott said…. Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins said, “I’ll see you in the Hall” during the tribute.
Having played for 20 seasons, Bryant has dealt with several injuries and the accumulated effect has obviously taken a toll on his performance on the court.
If the Lakers ended up somehow beating the Suns and eventually the Spurs on their way to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, it would have been the show of the century. He still gives me nightmares. “That’s the only thing I could say”. – Wittman on preparing to face Bryant as a head or assistant coach throughout his stellar career. Roy Hibbert tops in blocks with 2.1 per game.
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In that second stanza, the man of the hour, Kobe Bryant would score his first four points of the contest. Think about it. A player who hardly has any spring in his knees to hit 3-pointers is shooting more than twice is average 3-point attempt per minute this season.
