LeBron James faced childhood hero Kobe Bryant for the last time in Cleveland when the Cavaliers beat Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, and he took home a special memento. He left late in the first half with a bruised right shoulder. However, following the game Love said he only has a “stinger” and doesn’t expect to miss any time.
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“Of course, I figured it was going to happen at one point, and when he made that four-point play to cut the lead under 10, I was like, ‘Okay, there might be some moments, ‘ but Kyrie kept hitting shot after shot that kept the distance at bay”, James said. So a whole separate batch of James-Bryant stories, mutual signs of affection from the two greats, and trips down memory lane – like the ones you’ve read and watched in the run-up to Bryant’s last game in Cleveland – are due in another month.
Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 35 points and LeBron James 29 for the Cavs, who head into the All-Star break with one of their Big Three injured.
“Man, I remember walking around the hotel, I remember walking around this arena, and just running into a great after great after great after great after great”, Bryant said. “I didn’t feel like Shaq anymore”.
The real story of the game, however, ended up being Love’s injury.
“Just the ebb and flows of each season”, Bryant said.
“He should be fine”, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said.
Look for the Cavs to have an even stronger second half of the season and gain the momentum they need leading into the playoffs. The 1-2 punch of Kyrie Irving and James helped lead the way for the wine and gold, scoring a combined 64 points.
Despite letting off the gas on a number of occasions, the Cavs still led 64-47 at intermission, a tribute to just how bad the Lakers are. James added 29 making 12 of 22 of his his field goal attempts. Bryant said everything is scheduled strategically to keep him from putting too much of a toll on his withering body. “I can’t fathom this is his 13 season and the generations that come after him – the (Kevin) Durant generations, the (Stephen) Curry generations”. He says he’s happy to “play the underdog for a night”. We talk about different things off the court.
Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson embracing NBA All-Star weekend: Plenty of their teammates will rest.
In his final appearance in Cleveland, Bryant scored 17 points on five-of-16 shooting, including a three-for-seven mark from three-point range. Totals 48-94 11-18 120.
The Daily News of NY reported Friday that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics had discussed a deal involving Kevin Love and there were “very preliminary discussions” with the Knicks about expanding it to include Anthony, who would end up with LeBron James in Cleveland. James returning to Cleveland made him a savior again. Total Fouls-L.A. Lakers 19, Cleveland 20.
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Seeing as it was Kobe Bryant’s final game in Cleveland, there was plenty of attention put on the nationally televised game.
