The number “24” is, of course, Bryant’s jersey number, at least since the 2006-07 season, before which he wore No. 8 for the Lakers. The Lakers dropped into mediocrity in the mid-2000s, and the controversy surrounding their superstar was not helpful to the team’s reputation. Together, with three wins in 21 games, they are a joke.
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After the Lakers hired coach Phil Jackson prior to the 1999-2000 NBA season, Bryant and his teammate Shaquille O’Neal would take the NBA by storm, winning three NBA titles in succession from 2000-2002, a “three-peat” done only by the likes of Bill Russell and Michael Jordan. Even early into 2015-2016, LA already sits at the bottom rank in the Western Conference.
Instead, the Lakers look destined for another 60-loss seasons, which would mark only the second time the great franchise has felt the pain of 60 defeats in a single season.
“This season is all I have left to give”.
But as a high school junior in Compton, Calif., “I’m watching this guy in a Lakers uniform and looking up to him”.
Intense discussions about the lottery and “tanking” seem premature considering the season is only a quarter complete. He won the league MVP in the 2007-2008 season. Scott informed both Julius and D’Angelo they were getting yanked from the front five during a team meeting, not communicating with them individually about why the change was being initiated.
There are some who are applauding Bryant for scoffing at conventional wisdom, ignoring the Lakers’ private wishes, and ending his career the way he played it. Certainly that’s an endearing narrative, the legendary gunner throwing up one last trey and walking away with the ball in the air. And now that the tour has hit five visiting arenas, all of them filled with the same Kobe love and same Lakers angst, often at the same time, none of it feels like much fun.
Clearly Nick Young and Byron Scott are not meshing as Young has been riding the bench for the last few games, while Hibbert has been struggling to get anything productive done on the offensive end of the floor. Randle has shown that he can be a double-double machine as a starter.
Previously, Nance displayed his ability to impact games off the pine, so the rookie is getting the opportunity to play about 30 minutes per game as a starter. Players like LeBron James and Steph Curry have become faces of the league not just for their talent as individual players, but also because they’re tremendous teammates and individuals.
Toronto reserve guard also had a big night with 11 points and six assists.
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This one’s been bouncing around in my head for several weeks now, but with Thanksgiving and multiple weird 49ers things popping up along the way, I just never got to it… until now. Bryant was quick to adjust to the National Basketball Association and established himself as a budding star within his first two seasons. Simply put, the Lakers have not yet finished evaluating Williams.
