Last Sunday, Kobe Bryant shocked the basketball world through a poem he wrote called Dear Basketball. In short, Kobe is planning to say goodbye after this season of dedicating his life to playing in the NBA for 20 seasons. These last four games, both Laker fans and opposing fans when the Lakers visit the opposing team's home court were in for a treat for the Black Mamba's final curtain call. Especially fitting that the last three games on the road, that may be the last time Kobe plays in front of the Philly, D.C., and Atlanta crowd. Despite the lack of wins, the crowds make it known that it is time to appreciate a future Hall of Famer in his last season.
vs. Indiana
I'll take it that this was an emotional game because just looking at the highlights, the Staples Center crowd was just amped up, knowing that they need to shed every moment when Kobe is on the floor this season. However, the game didn't go as the Lakers thought it would have because the Pacers had most of the lead this game until the 4th quarter. Just like the Lakers were struggling in the 4th quarter all season long, the Pacers had a near melt down in the 4th quarter. Kobe made some vintage, impossible 3-pointers to keep the game close, but it wouldn't have been as close with the way Jordan Clarkson and Nick Young were playing. Clarkson had 22 points, he had a solid game as a scorer, Nick Young went 6-14 from three point range, tallying up 22 points as well. There was one funny highlight, 4:50 left in the 3rd, MWP tried to go for layup, but misses badly and Nick Young just grabs the rebound and pulls a Reggie Miller, dribbling to the 3 point line and scores. For all you NBA history junkies, you can recall Reggie Miller's 6 points in 8 seconds in a 1995 playoff matchup against the Knicks. Reggie hits a quick 3 and then after, he gets the ball, dribbles back to the 3 point line and scores to tie it up. Back on topic, Lakers had a chance to tie it up with Kobe attempting another 3, but he misses wide right and the Pacers escape with a 107-103 victory.
@ 76ers
Previously, the 76ers were 0-18 to start the season and had a combined 28 game losing streak dating back to last season. This is the start of Kobe's farewell tour and what better way to where it all started in his home town of Philadelphia. You hear about the bad reputation of Philly fans in the sports world, but kudos to them for giving Kobe a nice ovation both beginning and end of the game and a nice touch on a video package that Philly knew him first before the world did and unveiling his #24 Lower Merion High School jersey with Dr. J and the head coach of Lower Merion. Fun trivia, #24 was Kobe Bryant's first jersey number before he ultimately switched to #33. If you guys looked at the highlights of his high school days, you'd notice that he wore #33, but Kobe started with #24 and is going to end donning the same number at the professional level. Onto the game, it was a good start for Kobe, hitting three of his first four shots from 3-point land. He absolutely schooled Robert Covington in those three series and got the crowd buzzing. That set the tone early and the Lakers had the majority of the lead. But in the 2nd half, it all came crashing down, the Sixers got back in it and they played with more desperation than the Lakers did and after this game, the Lakers reached an all-time low losing to the 0-18 76ers 91-103. Kobe started fast, but he finished 7-26 shooting with 20 points, he just struggled after the hot start in the first.
@ Wizards
Now, this game against the Wizards truly had vintage Kobe Bryant written all over it and keep in mind, this up against a Wizards team that has made the playoffs the last two seasons, although the Wizards are not to a hot start this season. 31 points, 10-24 shooting, the Black Mamba definitely turned back the clock in front of the Washington crowd, but it looked like a home game for the Lakers because there were more Laker fans in that building, living every moment. Hopefully, they enjoyed it while it last because a performance by Kobe at his age right now is going a rare sight to see nowadays. But I'm sure they savored every moment of it because Kobe carried the Lakers that night to a 108-104 victory after a foul-tasting loss to the Sixers on back-to-back nights. How about Julius Randle though? Career high 19 rebounds, he was all over the floor, grabbing every ball that falls off from grazing the rim. Nonetheless, this road game was a hit for Kobe's farewell tour.
@ Hawks
Last night's game against the Hawks was a really dreaded one. Not too much highlight "oohs" and "aahs" from Kobe as he deferred some of his shots to Lou Williams, but if you're a Lakers fan who's looking to the future, D'Angelo Russell is making some little strides. Yeah 7 turnovers doesn't denote making strides, but he's notched a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds and his 3 ball came along this game shooting 4-7 from beyond the arc. Other than that, this game after seeing the highlights, it was just trash to say the least.
Key Takeaways
Kobe Bryant this season has been ridiculed for the amount of shots he attempted. Yes, it's still hard to see that he doesn't have the lift from his legs to make shots that he usually makes. I'll say this though, throw Kobe Bryant's stats this season out the window. The season is lost, the Lakers are playing for the top pick. No matter how many shots he takes and costing Lakers some wins, just appreciate the limited time he's going to be on the floor. As Laker fans, we are not going to remember Kobe for the three seasons since the Achilles injury anyway. Don't expect to see the Kobe of old night in and night out, but he'll pull some vintage moves once in a while. The life after Kobe though is making some strides of playing together during these four games and that's what you want to see out of Clarkson, Russell, and Randle. So far, Clarkson has been the most consistent out of the two, but both Russell and Randle are coming along during these games and they'll eventually gel late in the season. I've heard the rumors that the Lakers are trying to trade either of those three to get superstar players, but I'm hoping Mitch Kupchak doesn't pull the trigger. The Lakers have to learn how to home grow their talent and it's impossible for them to make a stretch run considering the shape of this roster right now. At this point it's just all about appreciating Kobe and evaluating the future for this Lakers franchise. I'll see you guys later.
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