Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant heard the cheers Tuesday night, but the Philadelphia 76ers gave the home fans a real reason to roar.
Advertisement
The Sixers had lost their first 18 games this season, matching the record for worst start in National Basketball Association history. They shouldn’t be 1-18, they’re better than that.
The 76ers said good riddance to the longest losing streak in major USA professional sports: 28 games dating to last season.
“Finally”, forward Nerlens Noel said. It feels great to get it…
Brandon Knight scored 26 points and Eric Bledsoe had 17 for the Suns, who had a long dry spell from the field in the fourth quarter after leading by nine earlier in the period. Majority are trying to develop, improve, win games.
Kobe Bryant won over the fans. He was traded to the Lakers weeks later for Vlade Divac.
Afterward, Bryant talked about one special moment during the game. He had sparked boos during the 2001 NBA Finals and the 2002 NBA All-Star game, but the overwhelmingly partisan Lakers crowd cheered and yelled his name during starting lineup introductions. Former Sixers Julius Erving and Clint Richardson reminisced about their former teammate during a halftime ceremony.
But his tribute was overshadowed by Bryant’s presence. Neither has happened, which probably leads Kobe to believe it’s time to walk away. “Kobe! Kobe!” as he was introduced during pre-game introductions.
Bryant has been playing poorly – shooting embarrassingly and getting ridiculed for it, such as this mock video game.
Only 13 players in league history played on more championship teams than Bryant.
“I thought everybody hated me”, Bryant said through a beaming smile after his final game in Washington.
“I wasn’t expecting that type of reaction, ovation”, he said. “Deeply appreciative beyond belief”. McConnell got in on the action and said a few things to the Laker legend.
Bryant sank his first two shots, including a 3-pointer.
Philadelphia, which trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, opened the third quarter with a 19-7 rush to go in front 69-65. Lou Williams had seven steals in 33 minutes!
Los Angeles pulled within eight (96-88) with 4:05 remaining. “But we always had that mutual respect because we knew how much we put into the game”.
Six Philadelphia players scored in double-figures, led by Robert Convington’s 23 points – which included five threes made.
Advertisement
The game almost turned into a boxing match. Hibbert, Grant and Sixers teammate JaKarr Sampson received technical fouls on the play.
