The game will be the second to the last time Spurs fans will see future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant in a Lakers uniform in the Alamo City.
Advertisement
Before the game, the Wolves played a video tribute to Bryant that lasted roughly a minute, after which the Target Center crowd ― which featured just as much Lakers apparel as Timberwolves gear, if not more ― rose for a standing ovation as Bryant raised his arms in appreciation.
It’s an approach Kevin Garnett has already been taking with his Timberwolves.
Minnesota rookie Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
“It’s his last time in Minnesota”, said Sam Cole, a California native who lives in North St. Paul and sported a Lakers sweatshirt.
“It was great for both of us (to see the young players step up)”, Bryant said of himself and Garnett, 39.
Martin scored 17 points in the fourth quarter alone, making four three-point field goals, helping the Wolves erase a five-point deficit with under 10 minutes to play.
The Lakers (3-19) had six players score in double figures, including youngsters Julius Randle (20) and Russell (23). Bryant scored 11 points on 5-for-13 shooting, but sat the entire fourth quarter and overtime. He stated that there’s some things that you need to just let go.
The Lakers are well too familiar with losing – not to mention hotels and room service meals – as they fell to 1-5 on an eight-game road trip with Wednesday’s 123-122 overtime loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The NBA hasn’t released the first returns on the All-Star ballots, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kobe be voted into a starter spot as he was last season.
Lakers Coach Byron Scott wasn’t with the team when Howard and Bryant were together. “He probably would have made it”.
The Los Angeles Lakers (3-18) are coming from a 102-93 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday.
But Minneapolis has always had a special affection for Bryant and the Lakers. He has tons of loyal fans in North America, but if he ends up being voted in as a starter, it will be largely because of the rest of the world.
One player who has been tied up with the circus is Kobe Bryant who is set to retire after this season.
Lou Williams, who earned his second straight start, pushed in 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, also hitting a clutch basket late in the game.
“Just such a competitor”, Mitchell said of Bryant.
“It felt good”, Martin said.
Close in age as they were, “he was where I wanted to be”, Prince said.
Matt Barnes drained a 31-foot shot with 1.1 seconds remaining to give Memphis a victory over Detroit. A staple of playground hoops for at least fifteen years if not longer, Bryant has been the go-to guy to namecheck as you’re about to drain a shot in your opponent’s face.
Advertisement
Sure, it’d bring a lot more attention to that game in particular. Aldridge topped that with 16 points, including 14 in the first quarter. He will get an X-ray on Thursday.
