Bryant’s 25 points not enough to upset Spurs

SAN ANTONIO In previous years, Kobe Bryant’s absence would spark concerns about his health or rustiness.

Popovich: “He’s the guy that’s ready to put his foot at your throat – and win – every single night”.

Since announcing on November 30 that this would be his last season, any time Bryant has visited another team’s arena for the final time has been part of a farewell tour and a chance to reflect. The Spurs honored Bryant with a 3-minute video.

“I wasn’t going to quit”, Bryant added.

For a team that’s still well in the development stages of making a return to the championship conversation, Saturday night’s loss in San Antonio proved to be a statement game for a lot of the players in Los Angeles. So, sometimes it’s nice to have games like that where we have to execute and make sure in the fourth quarter we make plays. “Then he didn”™t box out Kawhi Leonard after Danny Green missed a three-point attempt with eight seconds left.

All of which overshadowed the Lakers’ double-digit efforts from Jordan Clarkson (21 points), Julius Randle (15), Lou Williams (14) and D’Angelo Russell (12). All of which prevented Bryant from performing something the Spurs often dreaded.

It’s invigorating to fans to know that even in his farewell season, when it seems the once lethal guard has become docile, he can still turn it on when provoked or needed. “You had to fear because he was going to bring it”.

James Harden made four quick points after that before the Trail Blazers used a 13-2 run – with threes from Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Al-Farouq Aminu – to push the lead to 74-42.

The Lakers overcame a nine-point deficit thanks to a 16-point, two-assist, one-block quarter from Bryant, who connected on 6 of 12 shots, including 3 of 6 3-pointers. He just shook his head. Lakers F/G Kobe Bryant holds the Spurs opponent playoff records for points, field goals made, field goals attempted and 3-point field goals attempted….

The Spurs had little trouble ending a rare two-game road skid – losses to Golden State and Cleveland – in the first game since Manu Ginobili underwent surgery for a testicular injury that will sideline him at least a month.

Clearly, Kobe sees something special in Wiggins, and it should come as no surprise that he wants to help the 20-year-old fine-tune his game.

Bryant had a sore right shoulder, but he was not about to miss one last game against his fiercest rivals. “Now the next progression for him is becoming a great defensive player”, Bryant said. “It’s like, ‘Enough already'”. However, Hibbert suffered a left ankle sprain in the first quarter Saturday and it’s unclear whether he’ll be available to play. X-rays were negative and he told Time Warner Cable SportsNet that he will play Monday in Indiana. Back when Bankers Life Fieldhouse was known as Conseco Fieldhouse, Bryant donned the no. 8 and a mini-afro.

“I think you could make a case for that”, Popovich said. “Your competitiveness is inspiring”.