Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Byron Scott Alienating D’Angelo Russell, Julius

Kevin Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC) look to bounce back from a midweek loss to Cleveland, hosting Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. The 40-point defeat was the result of a number of LA’s deficiencies, but coach Byron Scott blamed the game on his team being “in awe” of the Thunder’s offensive execution.

Predictably, Durant outscored the Lakers’ second-round pick, 22-4. Kevin Durant had 22 points and eight rebounds, Russell Westbrook had 13 points and 11 assists and Oklahoma City beat the Lakers 118-78 for its eighth straight home victory.

Oklahoma City has won seven of the past eight meetings, and Durant has averaged 33.8 points in his last nine against the Lakers.

However, more fun and entertaining to watch James Harden have a little scoring duel with the great Kobe Bryant.

Plagued by injuries in recent seasons, the 17-time NBA All-Star said his physical condition would be a factor in an Olympic decision. “I told them at halftime, ‘You look scared. You are dealing with a big business”, Bryant said. USA Basketball officials would have to choose Bryant over a younger and potentially more talented player.

And like the sentimental farewell treatment that Bryant is getting now in his final National Basketball Association games this season, expect the same thing for his fellow superstars from the 90s as well when they decide to hang up their gloves for good. “No matter who it is – I try not to worry about it and just play my game”.

However, the 37-year-old did say it was tough to come up with just 5 players due to the multitude of talent he faced throughout his career.

Randle’s lay-up pulled the Lakers to 76-81 less than three minutes into the fourth quarter, but an 11-0 run gave Houston a 92-76 lead. Aside from Williams, none of the Lakers were able to go get a basket on a consistent basis.

His current Lakers, who face the LA Clippers in a televised Christmas game, will not be among the greats but the Italian-raised guard would love more title to bow out on.

D’Angelo Russell received a technical foul Thursday night and wants Kobe Bryant to pay for it. And Russell is right. Bryant said afterward he’d played through the pain “the last couple of games… but this morning, I got up and it was pretty sore”.

“I definitely plan on helping the game spread and helping kids all around the world understand all that surrounds the game and its potential”, Bryant said. He finished with 12 points and five assists. They’re 16-1 when the bench scores at least 30.