Lakers Beat Celtics in Kobe Bryant’s Boston Farewell

“I was so happy when that song came on”, Bryant said after the game, referring to when he heard the Dropkick Murphys anthem in the fourth quarter. He stopped and exchanged hugs with Boston owner Wyc Grousbeck and his family and then did a television interview in the corner before making his way to the locker room amid more roars. “I always remember the beauty of it – at the time not so much (laughs)”. “Because when we lost in 2008, that was the turn. That’s the kind of profound impact this building has had”. The 37-year-old Los Angeles Lakers guard announced earlier this year that he will retire at the end of the season-his 20th in the league.

The Celtics, borrowing a page from how they honored Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at his final game here in 1988, privately gave Bryant a framed slab of parquet long before tip-off.

As that hatred for the Lakers grew, it also grew for the team’s star player. Then, the Lakers took a double-digit lead and Bryant hit that dagger 3, and then the “Ko-be Bry-ant” chants that rained from the rafters were a awful idea.

“Honestly, if I could cheer for (the Boston fans) I would”, he said.

After their most heavily traveled December ever – 13 road games – they get nearly the flip side of that in January – 12 home games. He added a free throw with 25.8 seconds left.Bryant came in averaging 21.3 points in the last eight games. Jordan Clarkson had a hot night, scoring 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including a handful of late-game buckets to help keep Boston at bay.

For Boston, Isiah Thomas lead the way with 24 points and 7 assists.

“The atmosphere in TD Garden is always great”, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.

Russell has the better chance because the veteran who replaced him, Lou Williams, has been erratic as a starter and is plenty comfortable coming off the bench.

“He’s a great player”. Still, in the moments when Bryant made a vintage move and converted a bucket, like when he spun around Avery Bradley for a dunk in the third quarter, there were again loud cheers.

The Boston Celtics fell apart in Kobe Bryant’s last game in TD Garden but they have a great opportunity to bounce back with back to backs against the Brooklyn Nets. Bryant, asked how big a role Boston has played in his story, said, “For the second half of my career here, it’s the most important piece”.

“When I tell you this – and I don’t like to say a lot of good things about the Lakers – but I am absolutely telling you this straight-up: [Kobe Bryant] was unbelievable in the interview”, Carr says.

I went on to explain in more general terms that the players are still human beings and they should be good sports and be nice to other teams when they are playing against them.

However, in a report by the Boston Globe, Cowens explained through phone that he said nothing like that to Bryant and added that during that time, they were looking for a big man since they already have guards like Glen Rice, Dell Curry, and Muggsy Bogues.

Never mind that he calls the 2010 win over the hated Celtics the favorite of his five championships and that he even had trouble putting on the shamrock green practice gear of the Celtics for the workout way back then.