National Basketball Association roundup: Bryant says goodbye to Boston in Lakers’ win

Kobe Bryant had an off night in his final game in Boston against the Celtics but the Los Angeles Lakers played well as a team in a 112-104 victory. “Being able to say thank you to the fans was a attractive moment”.

“I was determined and said listen I have to figure a solution with this leadership thing and do whatever is necessary”, Bryant said. 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 remember my daughter was having a hard time in softball in a semifinal game, striking out, and she was crying”. Then when you are in that situation, especially in 2010, its like I don’t want to be the player years from now where the Lakers lost twice against the Celtic. “You go back to Russell, Wes, and Magic and Bird; it’s going to happen”.

“That’s the kind of profound impact that this building has had”. We talk always about attitude and effort, and trying to knock out good days, and they will add up.

Bryant already announced his plans to retire after this season – his 20th – all with the Lakers.

In Minneapolis, rookie big man Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

The reaction of the crowd to Bryant was weird.

As that hatred for the Lakers grew, it also grew for the team’s star player.

“It’s been my favorite color forever”, Bryant said. “It felt great to get booed”.

Bryant had 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win and hit a key 3-pointer with with 1:40 left.

Isaiah Thomas has scored 20+ points in five of his last six games against the Lakers. D’Angelo and Julius both had solid games in their first crack at the Lakers’ historical rivals. Kobe shot just five of 18 from the field for 15 points, but he added 11 rebounds with three assists as the Lakers improved to 6-27 on the season and 4-18 on the road. In what ended up being one of the most epic championship series in sports history, the Lakers outlasted Boston and captured their 16th NBA Title. Kobe Bryant has always gleefully stoked the hatred opposing fans have for him, feeding off the negative energy to mercilessly devour his opponents. “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.

Maybe Boston Celtics fans did it right Wednesday night, showing Kobe Bryant a world of respect throughout pregame introductions before booing him in the first quarter every time he touched the ball.

“I think typically they would never do that”, Evan Turner said of the TD Garden crowd.

And so he walked back onto the court long after the chants had dissipated, and he took one last circle around the floor.

While Walker had some success in Boston, it obviously pales in comparison to what Bryant has accomplished throughout his career.