Kobe Bryant spurs Lakers to 99-96 victory over New Orleans (original) (raw)

NEW ORLEANS >> The aches and pains appeared everywhere in Kobe Bryant’s body. But that did not stop him from staying consistent with his treatment.

The losses piled up by the games. But that did not sap Bryant’s competitive spirit. Bryant became the rare victim of appearing on a poster as New Orleans forward Ryan Anderson dunked on him. But that did not hinder Bryant from doing something he has done for his entire NBA career.

The Lakers secured a win, a 99-96 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at Smooth King Center that also ensured a two-game winning streak. Bryant sank a 3-pointer that gave the Lakers a 98-92 lead with 58.4 seconds left. He then converted on one of two free throws for a 99-96 cushion with five seconds remaining. Moments later, Jordan Clarkson contested Jrue Holiday’s 3-point attempt that airballed as time expired.

Rarely would the Lakers make a big deal over this when they once collected wins with as much frequency as Bourbon Street attracts rowdy tourists. But it’s different when it involves Bryant, who scored posted 27 points on 10-of-24 and 12 rebounds in his 20th and final NBA season.

“I’m as puzzled about it as you are,” Bryant said, laughing. “I don’t know what to tell you. Twenty years and all these injuries, it’s tough. I just try to stay with it.”

It has proven enough for Bryant to average 29.3 points on 44.4 percent shooting, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists over his past three games. That marked a stark contrast to when Bryant averaged 16.6 points, while shooting 30.5 percent from the field and 22 percent from 3-point range in the first 20 games of the 2015-16 season.

“I think it’s the consistency of it,” Bryant explained. “In the past, when you’re younger, you can train in a program for three days and then, boom, it’s there. When you get there, I think it’s the consistency. I think it builds up over time, and you just have to be really, really patient and go through those ups and downs. It’s hard.”

During those sluggish stretches, did Bryant ever feel he could return to his normal self?

“I knew I could,” Bryant said. “That’s what made it even more frustrating. I knew I was capable of doing that. I knew the amount of training I put in during the summer time. I worked like crazy. It becomes more frustrating because you’re not seeing those results. Then it becomes, ‘This is what happens when you get older. You put all the work in and you still have nothing to show for it. You can’t do anything about it. I had to be really really stubborn and say, ‘No, I’ll continue to stay with the process like I always have.’”

So even if Bryant battled inconsistency, the Lakers’ 37-year-old did nothing special than stay consistent with his recovery regimen. That has mostly entailed receiving nightly icing, massage and modality treatment. He has also skipped most practices and shootarounds. After conceding he could not consult with anyone on his fight with Father Time, Bryant refused to accept an unsettling reality.

“I knew I did everything I could,” Bryant said. “When you know you left no stone unturned, we can be comfortable in that defeat. But with that being said, I wasn’t ready to be defeated. The season wasn’t over. I wasn’t’ going to quit. If at the end of the season, the games never came around, I could look at myself in the mirror and be comfortable with the fact that I did everything.”

But as he showed against the Pelicans, Bryant became comfortable doing more on the court.

Bryant chased a loose ball earlier in the game and threw an alley-opp lob to Jordan Clarkson, who added 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Bryant made endless patented jumpers. He attacked the basket with ease as he gobbled up rebounds off the glass. Bryant also empowered Lakers rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell, whose 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting and three assists featured him scoring on some possessions in the post.

“He trusts me. That’s the best thing about it,” said Russell, who has worked constantly on his post game with Lakers assistant Larry Lewis and Lakers player development coach Thomas Scott. “He had the ball in transition and I was running to him. I ran behind him. I said, ‘Post post, and he told everybody to move.’”

With his play, Bryant also seemed to tell everybody that he’s back.

“I’m going to try to bottle it up in the next two months as much as possible,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “He’s on a nice little roll. He’s got a great rhythm right now. He’s playing great basketball.”

Well, almost.

After Anderson dunked on Bryant, the Lakers’ star couldn’t do anything but smile. Days earlier, Bryant has teased Lakers forward Julius Randle about Clippers forward Lance Stephenson recently dunking on him. Bryant recalled that former NBA center Adonal Foyle marked the lone player to throw down over him. So after nailing his dagger 3-pointer, Bryant waved his index finger as walked back up the court.

“Tonight, the basketball gods saw to it that Ryan Anderson dunked on me,” Bryant said. “I laughed all the way up the court and I thought the crowd had a good time doing it. Then when I hit the 3, it kind of added a little to it. It was fantastic. It was awesome.”

Many would also describe Bryant’s recent play that way, allowing the Lakers to feel as energetic as the party outside.

Originally Published: February 5, 2016 at 1:25 AM PST