USA TODAY International Edition
A game for Bryant to remember and forget
Fifth all time in scoring, but Lakers lose
PHILADELPHIA— His first two points were classic Kobe Bryant — turnaround baseline jumper. The ball circled the rim at least four times, like flushed water, before it went through the net.
It wasn’t long before the Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard realized he had his shot going in the first half Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
When Bryant got 14 points in the first quarter, it was clear he was going to make a run at passing Shaquille O’neal for fifth place on the all- time NBA scoring list in the first half.
Bryant needed 24 points to surpass O’neal, his former teammate and occasional adversary and friend.
He was feeling it. He made back- to- back threes in the second quarter, giving him 17, then 20 points. Two free throws pushed his total to 22 points.
With 5: 08 left in the second quarter, Bryant made a long two, just inside the three- point line, giving him 28,597 points, one more than O’neal.
That was the personal achievement.
But there were would be no celebration over a team effort.
The Lakers squandered a fourth- quarter lead and lost 9590, epitomizing their road struggles as they dropped to 3- 9 away from Staples Center.
Bryant finished with 28 points — four in the second half. As shooters know, that touch can disappear just as quickly as they found it. Bryant made two of his next 14 shots as the Sixers doubleteamed and blitzed him more often, taking away his ability to create one- on- one.
Earlier in the day, at the Lakers shoot- around at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, Bryant, who attended high school near Philadelphia at Lower Merion High School, acknowledged the meaning of passing O’neal in Philadelphia.
“To do it here at home would have a lot more significance,” he said. “It just adds more to it.”
Afterward, Bryant, sharp in a burgundy- colored corduroy blazer and gray scarf, understood the moment, his place in NBA history.
“To say it’s a huge honor would be an understatement,” he said. “I’ve been very, very fortunate to have such a good career. . . . There is a lot of work that you put in to get to this point. To be in the top five . . . it’s special.”
O’neal posted on Twitter: “Congrats to Kobe for being the greatest laker ever thanks for making us the greatest laker one two punch ever and congrats on passin me up 2.” And Bryant valued that, too. “I appreciate it,” he said. “I’m sure Shaq and I will connect at some point and kind of revisit history. But it’s fun. We had some good times, man. . . . ‘ Thank you’ is what I’d say.”
Even the Philadelphia fans, who have booed Bryant over his career and have never forgotten his ruthless attitude toward them during the 2001 NBA Finals between the Lakers and 76ers, recognized the moment.
“I thought it was pretty cool,” Bryant said.
Lakers coach Mike Brown, suspended for the game by the NBA for his actions toward a referee in a loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday, watched the game from the team hotel, where he ate a cheese steak sandwich from Larry’s Steaks.
Even though he has been with the Lakers only since the start of the season, Lakers assistant coach John Kuester, filling in for Brown, marveled at Bryant’s gift.
“His preparation, his professionalism are off the charts,” said Kuester, who also was an assistant for two seasons under Brown with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Lebron James.
“It’s very impressive to see somebody who works so hard on the game. He studies the game. He gets on a plane after the game, he’s watching the tape like coaches.
“It’s very impressive to see how he focuses on becoming one of the best players.”
Bryant trails former Philadelphia Warriors and Lakers great and Philadelphia native Wilt Chamberlain ( 31,419) for fourth place and Michael Jordan ( 32,292) for third. Both are within reach.
But Bryant was not concerned about points. “I’m not asking for too much, man,” he said. “Just get me the sixth ring.”