Still, the Lakers are the worst team in the Western Conference standings with a 9-31 record. The Lakers know the feeling as they held veteran Kobe Bryant (strained Achilles’ tendon) out of Sunday’s 86-74 loss to the Utah Jazz, and the ailment threatens to keep Bryant sidelined against the Pelicans.
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“Normally, for the majority of my career, I’ve had blinder on and wouldn’t allow myself to really appreciate and soak it all in because you have focus”, Bryant said when asked about the reception.
With the Pelicans offense struggling throughout the game, and their defense faltering late (57 second half points), and Head Coach Alvin Gentry ripping into their intensity level, the team comes up short on all their keys to the game. If the game is not put out of reach in a hurry, Kobe Bryant can get hot at any time, and the Pelicans could drop another game they were supposed to win. “I don’t think they played particularly smart at times, but for the most part the effort was great and that’s what we need to continue to work on”.
The Lakers will likely be shorthanded in their visit to face the defending champions, as Kobe Bryant is considered questionable, while Brandon Bass is listed as doubtful for Thursday’s matchup at Golden State. Of course, every year somebody gets snubbed from the All-Star Game.
The Lakers are in the Pacific Division which is now being ruled by the Golden State Warriors.
“[Vitti] would love to shut [Bryant] down, “Lakers coach Byron Scott told reporters”. Curry, a teenager at the time, was attending Kobe Bryant’s skills camp in Orange County.
“Twenty years later, I was right, the Lakers were right… and I see this resume that’s nearly second to none”, West said. No one believed the Lakers would come back, seeing as Golden State had won 36 straight home games going back a full season. It wasn’t lost the last minute or the last play.
Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams led the charge for Los Angeles, with 19 points, four rebounds, eight assists, and one block. Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. combined for 15 points and 14 rebounds. The Lakers certainly can make this season more than just a goodbye to Bryant, particularly with a crucial summer ahead. “He feels a little bit of a responsibility to go out there and try and perform”.
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If the Lakers season is all about Kobe, as general manager Mitch Kupchak has suggested — even at the expense of developing Los Angeles’ younger players — it should also be about keeping Kobe able to walk.
