76ers end record slide, spoiling Kobe Bryant’s Philly finale

Despite the result, Bryant was able to soak in the emotions of returning to his hometown, where his father, Joe, played for the Sixers for the first year of Kobe’s life.

And now it never will. Bryant announced his retirement this week while the Los Angeles Lakers are struggling through another miserable season.

Bryant’s teammates were unable to pick up the slack, as the Lakers blew a 14-point lead to hand the Philadelphia 76ers their first win of the season, thus avoiding the NBA’s unprecedented 0-19 start.

It was the first win for the Sixers since March 25 at Denver.

“I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain”, James said of 2009, when the Cavs were upset by the Orlando Magic in the conference finals.

Head coach Brett Brown’s team has long languished at the bottom of the National Basketball Association standings and has two losing streaks of at least 26 games in his three seasons.

“You forget that Jahlil hadn’t even been born when Kobe started playing”, said Brown, via Press of Atlantic City. That unwanted streak officially ended when time expired with a score of 103-91 in favor of Philadelphia. And while the basketball may not cooperate with him, or the Lakers, as much as it once did, it’s clear that the fans and players have never loved him more.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (2-15): Bryant likely was trying to post some big numbers in his final trip to Philadelphia, as his 26 shots represented a season high and his 17 3-point tries was one shy of a career high established in 2003. “I appreciate the good stuff. It was really, really special”. Bryant raised his right arm as the crowd gave one of several loud ovations. “KOBE! KOBE!” could be heard on the game’s broadcast. “I wanted eight”, Bryant told ABC’s Robin Roberts on Tuesday. His haul also featured four three-pointers.

Outside of Bryant, the Lakers had five others who were in double-figures scoring. Displaying vintage moves with pull-up and fadeaway jumpers before a crowd roaring his every move with approval, the 20-year veteran efficiently scored in the first half while leaving enough energy left for the fourth quarter.

Retired star Julius Erving and Gregg Downer, Bryant’s coach at Lower Merion High School, were also on hand to present a framed jersey from his prep years.

Bryant thumped his chest, waved to the fans, blew a kiss and was serenaded with “Kobe!” chants as he walked off Philadelphia’s court for the final time.