Spurs defeat Lakers in Kobe’s return SA — Postgame Wrap

They also struggled in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, but a strong second half put any thoughts of a let down to rest. Jonathon Simmons had yet another promising outing with a couple of highlight plays off the bench, but the Lakers rallied in the last minutes to cut the deficit to single digits. SAN ANTONIO, TX-OCTOBER 6: at AT&T Center on DECEMBER 11, 2015 in San Antonio, Tx.

Lakers Kobe Bryant greets Spurs Tim Duncan before the start of the game.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant has always loved competition, and the San Antonio Spurs have always been among his fiercest. Scott also expected Clarkson to miss today’s game in Houston. Julius Randle had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Lakers.

A lack of depth and experience proved too much for the young Lakers to overcome but not before they gave the Spurs a few scares. The rookie would set a new career high with 24 points, which came on the heels of 23 points in Minnesota on Wednesday. This marks the final tour for the Lakers star-player. “Offensively, they are constantly tinkering, constantly changing and evolving and doing different things. We’ve had some epic battles”.

Bryant has repeatedly said he doesn’t want to coach when done, entirely sensible given his legendary impatient demeanor.

The Lakers beat the Spurs in five in 2008.

Bryant has had great performances when the Lakers visited the Alamo City. With the defeat, the Lakers moved to 3-20. Pretty Elite company if you ask me.

For many years the BBoyz and I would fight over Kobe, me expressing a dislike for his selfish cockiness and them pointing out his greatness, feistiness and singularity of will. My initial disdain grew into appreciation for the plethora of qualities the Black Mamba had without an apparent rival.

“I’ve always had confidence”, Russell said. Kobe left all of his woes in the Six that night going off in the second half, scoring 27 in the third, and 28 in the fourth quarter to rally his Lakers to a 18 point win over the Raptors.

Aldridge fed a cutting Manu Ginobili for a reverse layup, and Ginobili returned the favor on the following possession, lobbing the ball into Aldridge for a layup. In his two games as a reserve, Randle is averaging 17.5 points and 11.5 rebounds, shooting 50.0% from the field.

Jordan Clarkson (sprained right ankle) is questionable. However, all of the Spurs’ losses this season have come on the road and traveling to Atlanta won’t exactly be a cakewalk. The Spurs are 8-1 in back-to-back games this season and play again on Saturday.

That being said, it seems like a guarantee that Bryant will get voted in as a starter thanks to his legion of fans across the world.

“For me, it’s the biggest honor to be on the same court, to call him a teammate”, Larry Nance Jr. wrote on the Derek Jeter-run site, of which Bryant was an early financial backer. “Every chance I get, I always sit next to him and bend his ear”.

Popovich smiled and applauded after Stanley finished singing. “Very appropriate and heartfelt”.