Unstoppable Kobe knocks out Nuggets

Bryant, who turned 37 in August, will play in his 16th and final Christmas Day game on Friday – an National Basketball Association record.

Bryant and the Lakers were struggling mightily, with Kobe’s body appearing to fail him. My shoulder was a little too sore to be moving around, things like that.

His offensive numbers were almost overshadowed by his defense.

Durant’s Thunder demolished the Lakers for the second time in less than a week, but in the first half, Bryant got the better of both Durant (21 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) and Russell Westbrook (23 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) on two occasions when they each bit on his pump-fakes on separate occasions, earning Bryant trips to the free throw line.

“I think I’ll always be around and not just from a Lakers’ standpoint but also just with the players around the league just to be a mentor, to continue to talk and help them out through things, and I’ve done that for a while now and I’ll continue to do that”, said Bryant. “It felt good to be able to do that”. He also had five assists, including a behind-the-back pass in the third quarter that set up a 3-pointer by Lou Williams.

Bryant’s recent throwback performances has led the same reporters who were writing him off just two weeks ago to wonder if he would reconsider his plans to retire after the 2015-16 season.

He pump-faked in the second quarter, got Westbrook to bite and converted a three-point play after hitting from the left side as Westbrook made contact.

The cheering continued throughout the night whenever he hit one of his 10 field goals and nine free throws.

This might be only the fifth win of the season for the Lakers, but it’s refreshing to see Kobe return to his regular self. With his shoulder ailing, Bryant said he took it easy the past few days.

Will Barton scored 25 points, guard Gary Harris tied a career high with 21, and center Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Denver.

“Bryant had a game tonight and we didn’t have anybody that could guard him”, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

It does make for a unusual scene, Bryant laughing and enjoying himself even as the Lakers lose by 35 points.

Thunder: The Thunder outscored the Lakers 58-18 in the paint through the first three quarters before Donovan and Lakers coach Byron Scott each rested all of their starters throughout the fourth. Asked about the exchange, Durant joked, “Don’t tell nobody though, man. I don’t want to be looked at as a softie”. The Nuggets increased their lead in the second period, scoring 30 points in the quarter to lead 64-51 at the half. “Embarrassing, that’s what I would say”.

Barton scored two points from then on.

On Barton’s first shot of the half, Bryant begins the possession picking up Barton at half court, a sign of respect and defensive engagement Bryant may have not done a single time previously this season.