Kobe Bryant On 38 Points: You’ve Seen It For 20 Damn Years

Bryant’s vintage game prompted the coach to find out from Bryant why he insists on saving his best games against his squads.

Starting with the Pelicans on Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers have four games on the road before getting some time off for the NBA All-Star break.

“We knew they would come out and play extremely hard and try to do their thing” Lowry said.

The Timberwolves (14-36) did not make a single 3-point shot in the first half, while soft defense allowed the Lakers, who led 66-52 at the intermission, to record their highest point total of the season through two quarters. “I think I’ve answered that question for the last five years enough”.

Russell scored 18 points to help the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-115 and snap a 10-game losing streak. In the final contest, he scored 23 points while also hauling in 15 rebounds to push L.A.to a four-point victory and earn the title of NBA Finals MVP for the second straight year. Do you want to see it again (and again, and again)?

When Mitchell’s comments were relayed to him, Bryant laughed. “I appreciate that. Truly, I love that”.

In addition to hitting a season-high seven three-pointers, it was Bryant’s third game this year with at least 30 points.

But Bryant downplayed his night, and the praise and surprise surrounding it. “It is just how the league goes. we are definitely going to miss him but coach told me before the game I was going to get my shots and I just got hot”. “I had open looks and I made them”.

The Rockets got back on track after that, using a 9-2 spurt to extend the lead to 83-74 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the quarter.

While Bryant will someday have plenty on display in Springfield at the Basketball Hall of Fame, a true museum to his career would surely include these moments. It was easily his most impressive performance of the season, especially considering Andrew Wiggins was guarding him.

Back then, he was playing so poorly, many called for him to retire early.

From my vantage point in the 300 level seating section, every time Bryant touched the ball their was a reaction from the crowed anticipating a Kobe dagger. “Like I said, who?”

“That stretch there in the beginning of the season, it was like, ‘What the hell am I doing out here?’ And you really have to dig deep and find yourself through that”. And tomorrow we have another game.

“He’s the greatest of my generation”, Wiggins said (via ESPN). He’s not the same Kobe, and he’ll tell you that.

The highlights speak for themselves, from D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson smooth euro steps, to Tarik Black and Julius Randle hammer dunks, the young Lakers are a highlight film waiting to happen.

Raptors: Toronto improved to 7-8 in the second of back-to-back games.