Oklahoma City Thunder thump Kobe Bryant-less Los Angeles Lakers

“It was cool”, Durant said before the Lakers’ 118-78 loss to the Thunder on Saturday at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

“Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game”, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.

Inhibited by injuries in recent seasons, Bryant is now suffering with a sore right shoulder, and his performances have not been up the standard his fans have grown accustomed to during his stellar career. This season can’t be saved but trading Nick Young for a player that can help the Lakers turn it around in the next few seasons should be more than enough reason to make a trade happen. It’ll be interesting to see how the Thunder respond to that adversity.

“The Sacramento Kings in the playoffs were tough”, Bryant said next, referring to one of his team’s fiercest rivals, whom they faced and defeated in consecutive playoff series from 2000-2002.

“Both those guys reacted the way I wanted them to, which is, ‘I want to get back in the starting lineup, so I’m going to play even harder and show coach that I’m ready, ‘” Scott said. A team full of great talent of yesteryear, but in today’s league, they are not playing to the level they once did, or need to be playing. Yet the Lakers’ eight-game road trip beginning next week is nearly certain to begin a prolonged goodbye to Bryant, one of the NBA’s most popular and most divisive players.

The Thunder dropped the hammer again, and again, and again on the Lakers.

“It was pretty heavy-duty surgery I had this summer”, Bryant said, referring to the operation which repaired his torn rotator cuff. Lou Williams scored 20 points and Jordan Clarkson added 15, but the Lakers lost for the 15th time in 17 games. It also included 2013-14 NBA MVP Kevin Durant.

The others are also on borrowed time now as they are also already up there in age just like Bryant, who is now 37 years old. “Like I said, it just looked like we were in awe of that team”. Among the group of jubilant Lakers, was rookie D’Angelo Russell.

“The key really is loving what you do”, Bryant said.

Forward Terrence Jones had 13 of his 16 points in the second half, and forward Trevor Ariza and guard Patrick Beverley chipped in 13 apiece as the Rockets (13-14) ended a two-game slide. He finished with 12 points and five assists.

“My body has been through a lot, physically, its been through a lot, and then on top of the fact that it is very easy to forget that I haven’t played because of it”, he said. “I just hope he doesn’t ask for his autograph”, Scott said of Brown guarding Thunder F Kevin Durant. The Lakers struggled until Gasol arrived via trade in 2008 and they appeared in the next three NBA Finals, winning two.