Other than the fact OKC beat the dumpster fire Lakers 112-79 in a completely meaningless game for both teams there’s not much to talk about as far as recapping the game. Russell Westbrook got his record 18th triple double in 18 minutes, Kevin Durant got his 64th straight game with at least twenty points, and the Thunder won their 55th game of the season.
That’s my recap.
This night was about Kobe Bryant playing his last road game in his illustrious NBA career. Five NBA championships, two post season MVP’s, one regular season MVP, and a perennial first team All-Star. One of the greatest players to ever grace the hardwood.
I clearly have Kobe in my top ten players of all-time. I go 1… Michael, 2 Bill Russell, 3 Kareem, 4 Magic, 5 Bird, 6 Kobe, 7 Tim Duncan, 8 Olajawon, 9 Shaq, and 10 Bill Walton (healthy).
Note to Kevin Durant, on this list seven of the players stayed with their original team through the course of their careers. The three exceptions being Jordan finished with Washington, Shaq finished with the Heat, and Bill Walton won his second ring with the Celtics. There’s something truly iconic about staying with one franchise and imposing your legacy. Just saying.
As a kid growing up as a Sixer fan, I really didn’t hate love or hate the Lakers, but I clearly respected what they stood for as far as excellence in professional sports. Kobe Bryant in my mind is the third greatest Laker of all-time only behind Magic and Kareem.
Kobe Bryant was just flat out a warrior, and one thing Durant, Westbrook, and Harden should take note of is Kobe Bryant busted his ass defensively. If you want to be recognized as a truly iconic player, you play defense. You don’t shy away from leading. You take the heat and you lead in the game’s final minutes. Kobe Bryant understood all of this.
Obviously, Kobe was a cocky little shit in the early years of his career, but he grew as the years passed. It’s unfortunate he and Shaq couldn’t co-exist or they might have won eight rings together. But I get it, Shaq grates on me just watching him on TNT.
As an Oklahoma City fan, my most precious and clear memory of Kobe were his kind words for the Thunder youngsters following the heartbreaking Game 6 loss in 2010. He was truly gracious and it’s something which has stuck with me ever since. I believe he was interviewed by Lisa Salter if my memory is intact.
I enjoy going through the old Phil Jackson interviews hearing him talk about Kobe and their relationship. My guess is Kobe was Phil Jackson’s most challenging player, but also the one he grew to love in a special way as a coach.
Phil Jackson always gave each of his players a book to read each season. I’d love to have the list of books Phil gave Kobe over the years.
When the Thunder started playing Oklahoma City, the goal from Day 1 was to someday ‘Beat LA’. It’s what drove the city in those early Thunder years. But unfortunately for Kobe and the Lakers as a whole, this is an organization which has lost its place as one of the truly great professional sports franchises since the passing of Jerry Buss. Which is the only negative attached to the final several years of Kobe’s career. That being, he played on some very bad teams at the end.
But otherwise a magnificent career by a very special athlete who’s one of my favorite basketball people to listen to talking the sport.
Thank you, Kobe Bryant.
Mike Jackson