Lakers Struggle Against Thunder

I would have loved to play overseas for a season. Bryant then played 35 games last season before having right shoulder surgery after tearing the rotator cuff. Despite being held 11 rebounds below their season average (47.6) Thursday in a loss to Cleveland, Oklahoma City is still No. 1 in the league in rebound differential with a 7.4 margin. “With life being as brutal as it is, we come to sport as an escape”.

Lakers coach Byron Scott expressed dismay, saying according to the Los Angeles Times: “Kobe’s fearless”.

The Lakers came no closer than 25 points in the second half and Westbrook and Durant spent the entire fourth quarter on the bench. Oklahoma City also out-rebounded the Lakers 56-32, and had 28 assists to the Lakers 14.

But on the Lakers side of things, it got to the point where they just give up against opponents like the Thunder.

“I try to look at my legacy and how it impacts the future of the game”, Bryant said on a conference call with worldwide media on Monday. Guard Jordan Clarkson scored 15 as the Lakers dropped to 4-23. “These (other) guys looked like they were scared tonight – intimidated by Durant and Westbrook for whatever reason”.

Each team was playing its second game in as many days, but while the Knicks were coming off a straightforward win over the hapless Philadelphia 76ers, the Bulls lost in quadruple-overtime to the Detroit Pistons on Friday night and didn’t even get to their NY hotel until almost 5 am, coach Fred Hoiberg said.

“I only can speak for myself”.

Kobe Bryant sat for Los Angeles with a sore right shoulder, and the Lakers started seldom-used rookie Anthony Brown in his place. With Bryant (who has really improved lately) missing the game due to some shoulder pain or without him, the Lakers are a team that seems to be at odds with itself. Mario Chalmers had 12 points for the Grizzlies and Jeff Green added 11.

His third quarter jam over Houston’s Clint Capela two nights earlier, his first of the season, drew rave reviews, and led Bryant to gush about how strong he felt in his legs.

He added that the dunk “didn’t help”, but said the flare-up wasn’t unexpected as he pushes through his 20th and final season in the National Basketball Association. But he doesn’t think it will be a long-term problem and expects to play on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets.

“I just took it in and I said, “Rob, I don’t rule anyone out, but it has got to be based on performance because there’s so many people who want (to be on the team); everyone wants to be on the roster”.

“This is kind of a new chapter”, he said after practice on Saturday. The only goal? If you don’t win a championship the season is a failure. “It’s incredible. Not too many people can say that”.