Nov 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Fans of Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (not pictured) hold up a sign after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, it was announced that Kobe Bryant still has the third best-selling jersey among all NBA players, which is remarkable given the fact he missed much of the last three seasons and is in the waning days of his career. When the 2014-15 season started, no one had any idea what to expect from him. At age 36, after suffering two consecutive major injuries, would he resemble the player we once knew? During preseason, Bryant and Byron Scott tried to temper expectations. Scott made a big point of saying he would limit Bryant to a certain number of minutes per game, although he coyly refused to disclose the number.
Hoops Habit
Bryant looked surprisingly vibrant at the start of the regular season. Unfortunately, the roster around him was weak, which forced him to push the envelope so the team could stay in games. As the losses mounted, Scott panicked and increased Bryant’s minutes. In November, the first full month of the season, he played 40+ minutes in four games. The heavy minutes continued into December, at which point his body broke down. He started taking games off – not one game here and there, but several games in a row. It was evident something was very wrong. Then, Bryant tore his rotator cuff on January 21, 2015, and his season was over.
It the midst of the team’s miserable year it is easy to forget that when he was healthy, Bryant showed flashes of greatness and contributed to unexpected Laker wins. Here is a list of Bryant’s top games this past season.
Next: Kobe's Game Against The Best Of The East
Nov 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) makes a move against Atlanta Hawks guard Thabo Sefolosha (25) in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
1. November 18, 2014: Lakers at Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks turned out to be the surprise team of the 2014-15 NBA season, leaving LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the dust (at least during the regular season) and winning the eastern conference by a wide margin. On November 18, 2014, just before the Hawks began their incredible streak, the Lakers travelled to Atlanta during a tough early-season road trip. The Lakers won the game 114 – 109. Bryant led the way with 28 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds. In a season where his shooting percentage was the lowest of his career, Bryant shot over 50% making 10 of 18 shots from the field. This was a very good road victory.
Next: Kobe Gets Satisfying Win In Houston
Nov 19, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) controls the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets forward Tarik Black (10) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2. November 19, 2014: Lakers at Houston Rockets
The next night, the Lakers had to play the Rockets in Houston. In recent seasons the Lakers have rarely won the second night of back-to-back games, and against the surging Rockets and Laker killer James Harden, it appeared the team had little chance. Yet they won, with the final score 98 – 92. Bryant played 40 minutes and had 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Consecutive road victories over two quality opponents was the high point of the season for the Lakers.
Next: Kobe Comes To The Rescue Against Raptors
Nov 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) looks to pass in the first half of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
3. November 30, 2014: Toronto Raptors at Lakers
The play-off bound Raptors were one of the east’s best teams when they arrived in Los Angeles to play the Lakers. The Lakers emerged with a 129 – 122 victory. Bryant played 42 minutes and had a triple-double, scoring 31 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and finishing with 12 assists. He shot 46% from the floor. At this point in the season many were marveling at Bryant’s comeback, and it appeared he would once again prove wrong all those who had written him off. However, it was the fourth time he played more than 40 minutes in a game that month, which would shortly begin to take a toll on his body.
Next: Kobe Passes MJ
Dec 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) makes a free throw to tie Michael Jordan on the NBA All-Time Scoring List during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
4. December 14, 2014: Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves
This was the game in which Bryant passed Michael Jordan to become the third leading scorer in NBA history, which we will remember more than the 100 – 94 Lakers victory. When the big moment arrived the game was stopped and Bryant received hugs from teammates and opponents alike. Even Timberwolves’ owner Glen Taylor greeted Bryant at mid-court with a hug. Bryant ended the game with a team-high 26 points, although he was only 7 for 20 from the field.
Next: Kobe Messed Around And Got A Triple-Double
Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) with the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo (10) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
5. December 30, 2014: Lakers at Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are a team with good personnel, but since George Karl was fired, they’ve had a hard time winning except when they play the Lakers. The memory of Ty Lawson running circles around the Lakers, and Kenneth Faried destroying Dwight Howard two years before, will stick with me a long time. This time, however, the Lakers emerged with a rare victory, 111 – 103. Bryant had another triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. With December almost over, the end of Bryant’s season was fast approaching.
Next: Kobe Is Clutch Once Again
January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) attempts a shot against the defense of Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55)stad during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
6. January 4, 2015: Indiana Pacers at Lakers
The season was unraveling fast, but on this night the Lakers pulled off an exciting 88 – 87 victory. The Pacers were not the team they were before Paul George’s injury, but they still had solid personnel and ended up making the playoffs in the east. Bryant scored 20 points on 50% shooting. He also had six rebounds and six assists.
Next: Kobe vs. LeBron
Jan 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half of the NBA game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
7. January 15, 2015: Cleveland Cavaliers at Lakers
The end was near for Bryant’s season. By this point he was missing games regularly. No one knew from night to night if he would play, which was creating chaos for the team on and off the court. The Lakers lost this game 109 – 102. However, Bryant played 32 minutes and had 23 points on 50% shooting. He grabbed an astounding 17 rebounds and had six assists. It took so much out of him, however, that he missed the next two games, and when he finally returned to the court on January 21, 2015 against the Pelicans, he hurt his shoulder and his season ended.
In trying to put Bryant’s shortened year in perspective one must knowledge he accomplished as much as his incredible focus and determination would allow, but his skills had diminished and his body would not allow him to play 30+ minutes very game. When he returns this fall he will surely provide us with a few more thrills. In the end, however, it is unlikely the roster will be much improved or that the season will end well for the team or for Bryant. It is unrealistic to expect his body will cooperate at age 37, so as to enable him to exit the game of basketball with grace and dignity. Still, looking back on this year, we should cherish and appreciate what Bryant gave us, as he led the team to exciting, early season wins over much better opponents.
Next: Durant Puts Mamba on Mount Rushmore
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