Kobe Bryant added to his legend in Boston during his final visit as a player to that city, hitting a clutch three-pointer to help the Los Angeles Lakers take a 112-104 win against their arch rivals Wednesday night.
Bean finished with 15 points on just 5-of-18 shooting against the Celtics, and added eleven rebounds in his emotional farewell to Beantown.
Danny Ainge, Rich Gotham and Steve Pagliuca presented @kobebryant with a piece of the parquet floor earlier today. pic.twitter.com/OF5DUk9n99
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 30, 2015
Kobe is introduced for the final time in Boston! #kb20 #LALatBOS pic.twitter.com/OgLSb49hWR
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2015
Farewell, Boston! #kb20 #LALatBOS https://t.co/8eyOJTQidy
— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2015
Thanks, Boston. #KB20 pic.twitter.com/TJBZ5bTemq
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 31, 2015
The game, an otherwise meaningless late-December clash between two storied but rebuilding organizations, served as an amusing reminder of just how important getting a win in these battles is for each side.
"GET THAT CELTIC ASS" -James Worthy, before talking ish to Larry Bird pic.twitter.com/tJ9uMsk5qZ
— Elika Sadeghi (@steakNstiffarms) December 31, 2015
Per the LA Times:
They booed when he shot a free throw. When he received a pass. When he methodically backed defenders down in the post. […] They paid their respect by cheering him before tip-off and then reality returned.
“As soon as I touched the ball and they booed, I was like, ‘Ah, I’m home,'” Bryant said. […] While Bryant struggled with his shot, three young Lakers put dents in the box score: Jordan Clarkson had 24 points, D’Angelo Russell added 16 and Julius Randle had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
The Celtics, borrowing a page from how they honored Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at his final game here in 1988, privately gave Bryant a framed slab of parquet long before tip-off. It was from their court at the 2010 NBA Finals, when the Lakers outlasted them in seven physically grinding games. […] “In recognition of your many legendary performances on the Parquet floor…From your friends and rivals, The Boston Celtics,” the inscription read.
