Zoo Atlanta to Name Snake “Kobe” in Tribute to Lakers Great

A day after getting embarrassed by the previously winless Philadelphia 76ers, it was the turn of the Los Angeles Lakers to deal the embarrassment beating the Washington Wizards, 108-104 on Wednesday night.

Second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point barrage with the Philadelphia in 1962, Bryant’s 81 points helped the Lakers overcome an 18-point third-quarter deficit.

Of course, Kobe’s chuck-tastic campaign hasn’t always yielded such rosy results this year. Bryant entered his lone appearance in Washington shooting 30.1 percent from the field. Wall took over with nine points and 2-of-2 from three but had three turnovers.

Bryant went on to make the all-rookie team in 1997, along with winning the Slam Dunk Contest, and his career only went uphill from there.

Russell has not been as NBA-ready as two point guards Scott coached in the past – Chris Paul and Kyrie Irving. But the contract is guaranteed only for the 16-17 season. Instead, Bryant has been forced into the hot seat to try and win games for Scott but to no avail.

They won three consecutive NBA Finals championships from 2000-2002.

But with the Lakers on hold, it’s also a time for Buss to start plotting the team’s future. However, now both he and Scott have a moment that both the Lakers legend and the head coach will certainly never forget. During a timeout in the first quarter, Bryant received a standing ovation, and with a broad smile stepped out of the Lakers huddle to show his appreciation with waves to the cheering crowd and several taps to his heart with his left hand.

One such player was LeBron James, who spoke at length about Bryant, citing numerous stats and individual moments from Bryant’s illustrious career. “I found a man with many other passions”. “I still think he’s going to be a pretty damn good player”. That used to be where the Hawks made most of their gains last season and this year it has not worked out the same.

Putting on-court issues aside, there’s one huge reason why the franchise’s stakeholders are likely relieved about Bryant declaring this season his last hurrah. The support that Kobe was getting from the fans looked like he was playing at Staple Center and not in Verizon Center. “For us in general, being L.A.’s team, and myself in general, living in California, this is insane”.

More than anything, that is probably what’s biting at the Buss family most.

When you know, you know. Kobe. And lots of him. “That’s all right. I’m going to announce my retirement after the game'”.

On Nov. 29, Kobe Bryant announced to the world that after 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was going to retire at the end of the season.

Retaining their chokehold on the L.A. market is the most important thing to the Lakers in the long-term. He goes through the Heat’s locker room area, back over to the training room, and who is already just sitting there in the tub…Kobe Bryant.