5. Goodbye Boston
The hype entering this game was tremendous.
Starting with the “Dear Kobe: A Letter From a Celtics’ Fan,” nearly a month prior, the contest was exactly as the author described. Despite the tremendous hate for Kobe Bryant and everything Purple and Gold, Boston fans paid respect where respect was due at the end of the day.
So was the case on December 30 when the Black Mamba entered TD Garden for his last ever show down with the boys in green. Led by Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams who put up 24 and 19 points respectively, Kobe Bryant added a quiet double-double, posting 15 points and 11 rebounds on a horrid 5-of-18 shooting.
That said, at the end of the day, the Lakers pulled out the victory 112-104, and that’s the only thing that matters.
On par with the Kobe Bryant we have known for the past 20 years, KB24 delivered when it mattered most, hitting clutch shots down the stretch including a long three with just under two minutes remaining in the contest that caused LA’s bench and the Boston fans alike to erupt.
The strangest thing from the entire night was the “Kobe” chants that sporadically came up throughout the night. This is to say, that if Paul Pierce ever had a reunion tour with the Celtics, it’s doubtful that Lakers fans would have the same reaction.
But that just speaks to the transcendence that is Kobe Bryant.
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