Kobe Bryant Won’t Play Against 76ers Due to Sore Shoulder

Bryant (15 points, 5/18 FG) had another woeful shooting night but was extremely active on the boards (11 rebounds) and played some tenacious defense for a 37-year-old.

Bryant felt miserable as the Lakers lose to the Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals, punctuated by a 39-point loss in Game 6.

Bryant is one of many superstars responsible for the continuation of this illustrious rivalry.

Bryant is the all-time leader in points scored for the Lakers with 32,928 (and counting) career points. By that time his defense grew to a point where he was pressed often into defending Knicks star Carmelo Anthony (38% FG, 26.5% 3-pt) in the six game series in which Boston almost erased a 3-0 deficit. Jared Sullinger tops in rebounds with 9.4 and in steals with 1.7 per game.

Everyone knows the rough times he had with the Los Angeles Lakers, failing to appease Lakers head coach Byron Scott and Kobe Bryant. He has so much of it that it might be his favorite color.

The Lakers then won consecutive National Basketball Association championships against Orlando (2009) and Boston (2010), while Bryant won two Finals MVP awards. It’s like a different kind of a green. “The recognition and the top of the game and then as soon as I touched the ball and they booed I was like, ‘Oh, I’m home.’ It felt great”.

The Lakers and Celtics rivalry may have cooled off in recent years with both teams struggling in the standings, but it is a rivalry that was reinvigorated twice in the past decade with Bryant on board. The P.A. announcer acknowledged that it would be Bryant’s last game at the TD Garden, and Kobe took time to acknowledge the fans, who were vocal in their appreciation. It was part of the Celtics’ first of three court surfaces; the current floor was installed before this season. They stay together. I’m proud of them.”TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, TWC SportsNet (Los Angeles)ABOUT THE 76ERS (3-31): Nerlens Noel has started the past three games at center and has found the position much to his liking”. Bryant announced last month that this would be his final season. The upstart Celtics entered a respectable 18-13, but still a long way from title contention. It’s got to be on us.

“I’m very fond of Brandon…[Bass] really worked hard and he helped get this thing going in the right direction just by his work ethic, by the way he took care of his body, the example he set for his young teammates, and I’m really thankful that he was here with us.”

“I think it should be like that”.

Well on pace for a third straight losing season, the Lakers (5-27) are even further removed from their halcyon days. Then, when Bryant came through with a clutch three-pointer in the fourth quarter, the crowd chanted Bryant’s name. The Hornets saluted him before the game with owner Michael Jordan delivering a videotaped message.