At least for the prodigal son. The 76ers even put together a video tribute for him and had his old coach, Gregg Downer, and legendary Sixer Julius Irving present him with his Lower Merion High School jersey.
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Lakers star Kobe Bryant scored 20 points on 7-of-26 shooting in the final game of his career in his hometown.
After that, the night unraveled. He walked off to a standing ovation and chants of “Kobe!” I mean, seriously, how awesome of a story is that?
One more defeat for the 76ers on Tuesday – 0-18 heading into the match – would have given them sole possession of the unwanted record for the worst start to a season in National Basketball Association history.
“I know the world wanted to see it. I wanted it, we wanted it, he held up his end and I didn’t hold up my end, and I hate that”. Bryant pulled Cousins aside during the All-Star weekend back in 2011 to try and straighten him out. His haul also featured four three-pointers.
Bryant has been plagued by injuries that have resulted in only 41 appearances in the last three seasons.
Nevertheless, head coach Byron Scott said that whatever happens, he will let Kobe take the lead and take whatever shots he wants per Mike Bresnahan of Los Angeles Times.
“But I can’t love you obsessively for much longer”, he continued.
Bryant said his hot start allowed him to “come out and kind of go down memory lane a little bit”.
Trailing by eight points at halftime after a lethargic early effort, the Sixers slapped together a 30-17 third quarter to seize the lead.
“They just played harder than us, man”, Nick Young said.
Whether you view me as a hero or villain, please know I poured every emotion, every bit of passion and my entire self into being a Laker.
Over the course of his 20 seasons in the NBA, Bryant shoots 25 points per game on average. By the time James was dominating the East again with the Heat, Dirk Nowtizki ruined Kobe’s last real chance to play for a title in 2011.
Okafor scored 12 points on 6-of-14 shooting and added five rebounds.
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“Listen, I don’t budge on that stuff”, Bryant said Tuesday after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Philadelphia 76ers.
