Kobe Bryant of the Lakers acknowledges the cheers of the crowd in his hometown of Philadelphia.
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“I read everything, I hear everything that people say, because I like it”, Wall said. After getting thoroughly embarrassed by the 0-18 76ers last night, the Lakers bounced back, and forced the Wizards into an incredibly sloppy game.
Bryant, who grew up in the humble state of Pennsylvania, returned to his hometown in Philadelphia one last time this morning before the end of the season for a match with the 76ers (the match ended with Sixers winning 103-91).
“This feels good to finally put it together and play a full 48 (minutes)”, Covington said.
After 17 games the Lakers have a dismal record of 2-15 and – barring an incredible turnaround – Bryant will not have a chance to win his sixth title.
Coach Brett Brown’s team has long languished at the bottom of the National Basketball Association standings and reeled off two separate losing streaks of at least 26 games in his three seasons. “We don’t want the streak continuing….”
The Sixers and their fans know the woes of facing the awesome Bryant, learned during the 2001 NBA Finals, but he was treated as a local icon, legend and member of the family in Philadelphia this week.
Bryant’s haul also featured four three-pointers but the 37-year-old’s effort was in vain.
Bryant scored 20 points on 7-of-26 shooting and made four 3s. “It was emotional and deeply appreciated beyond belief and really, really special”. Bryant hugged both in front of a crowd filled with purple-and-gold No. 24 jerseys. Grant and Sampson also were hit with technical fouls. For that, Chris Webber suggested on NBATV that Lakers players should take Bryant’s stuff after every game, like he once did to Allen Iverson. He took me to that next level, and understanding how important competition is and just have a willingness to never die. “The amount of adoration I have for this city means everything to me”.
The Lakers in general were undeniably better than previous games as well.
As great as the team looked, the night belonged to the third highest scorer in National Basketball Association history, as Bryant was able to have a remarkable game for the last time in Washington.
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The 17-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA Team, and 12-time member of the All-Defensive team has announced that he would retire after this season.
