Wednesday Night the Celtics and Lakers faced off at the TD Garden for the only time this season, and it would be Kobe Bryant’s last trip to Boston as an active player. The Lakers and Celtics battled through two epic NBA Finals over the last decade, which only added to the long-time rivalry between the two franchises.
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The Lakers and the Celtics are longtime rivals, but all of that mutual hatred faded away on this Wednesday night. In the fourth quarter, though, Celtics reserve Evan Turner found joy against the purple and gold and helped cut the Lakers’ lead to only six points with 7:26 showing on the game clock.
At the moment, the Lakers are at 6-27 to remain fifth in the Pacific Division. But the Lakers put together a solid effort against the Celtics, using a 21-4 run in the third to turn a one-point deficit into an 83-69 lead. Yet, Bryant considered that moment the “most important piece” in the second half of his 20-year National Basketball Association career. If I’m being perfectly honest, I’ve probably not always been the model citizen in those situations but something about teaching your kids life lessons and good sportsmanship gives you a little more perspective.
“Because the loss led to the win”, he said.
“He was everything we expected”, Crowder said.
Throughout his career, Bryant had been something of a villain in Boston. They retire, then unretire too many times.
“It wasn’t on my radar as much because I didn’t see the opportunity ever coming to be”, Bryant said. But after a stretch of being close to 50% from the field and scoring around 20 points per game, Bryant is shooting just 31.8% from the field in the last five games. Should the 76ers win, it would improve the odds of LA “catching” them for last place, which would make the Lakers keeping their pick more likely. Why would you do that to me?
“I feel completely at peace”, Bryant said. Their Big Three has scattered with Kevin Garnett back in Minnesota, Paul Pierce on the West Coast with the Los Angeles Clippers and Ray Allen no longer in the league.
The Lakers-Celtics rivalry has seen better days. “I know he’s going to be very professional when he’s out there”.
“One thing we can trust as sports fans is you can trust the sports gods are going to line these teams up again”, Bryant said.
He also said emotions sweep him when he hears other familiar songs that he associates with Boston’s Big Three era, such as Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” and the Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”.
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And despite a poor shooting night, the retiring 37-year-old star showed he has a bit left in the tank. It was maddening for me as a fan and confusing for my kids.
