This season we are witnessing a rare event in the NBA. Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most powerful and most successful league franchises, are sacrificing their chances of success to pay constant homage to Kobe Bryant, one of the great star basketball history.
On many occasions, the NBA teams loosen the piston in the absence of several days in order to secure a good position for the draft next year , as the system of choice of players in the NBA rewards the worst teams in the previous season with the possibility of choosing first new players to thereby balance the quality difference and get a more competitive league.
But this year the Lakers, who already occasionally have opted for this idea, the situation is completely different. This year the Lakers are paying a constant tribute to Kobe Bryant, for many, the best player in the history of the franchise angelina , and that's saying something because there have passed the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal or Jerry West.
Los Angeles Lakers have the worst win-loss percentage of the entire Western Conference, and are after the Philadelphia 76ers, the second worst team in the league. The General Manager of the franchise itself, Mitch Kupchak, said that it is worth sacrificing this year and put aside the development of young talent the team as D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle for the next season, when Kobe Bryant no longer play.
Kobe Bryant, cheered on the basketball courts
Every night that Kobe Bryant is presented or jumps to the track in a stadium, hear from the stadium a standing ovation, one of the most special for him so far occurred on December 1 when the Lakers faced the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia, the hometown of Kobe.
the 20,150 people gathered at the Wells Fargo Center cheered each basket gave Bryant as if it were a local player, and before the game, when players were presented. The standing ovation when he heard his name was deafening , and once the meeting ended (with 101-93 home win), each player Kobe Bryant greeted so that seemed to show his admiration. Meanwhile, the audience chanted loudly, "Kobe, Kobe, Kobe."Fits midseason professional basketball Kobe Bryant. From the Lakers know it and are doing everything possible for the Black Mamba enjoy every moment on the track as if it were the last, though it costs him the franchise their ability to compete at a high level . The question is, is it worth it "throw" a season by a player?
The answer, in the case who it is, is clear. Kobe Bryant this gesture Lakers deserve, you deserve it for their individual quality, for their deeds, for their commitment, for their numbers and also to put back to the Lakers in these twenty years in that favorite place in the hearts of many basketball fans.
But not everything will be praises the Lakers and Kobe Bryant. Still many people who do not understand how two years ago the Lakers signed a nearly $ 50 million for two years that allowed Kobe to remain the highest paid player. Charles Barkley himself said last November that, although it has won that million dollar contract, you should leave the basketball season finale. Coincidence or not,
Bryant announced that basketball would definitely leave after the end of the season a few weeks later . After his announcement, which we are commenting:
bad and irregular trajectory of the Lakers, bad shooting percentages and poor performances by Bryant and continuous tributes to the figure of 24 angelino.Tributes have them well - deserved. Bryant is, for many, the best player in NBA history, his great obsession was always reached in securities at Michael Jordan. It will be a just a ring, six for Jordan by five to Kobe. Many of his big moves are developments that made the Brooklyn and some important facets of the game, Bryant has surpassed Jordan.
Kobe Bryant was, until the time of announcement of withdrawal, the third leading scorer in NBA history, the ninth most minutes played, the seventeenth with more games played, the fifth in baskets scored and the third in attempts, and and a long list of statistics. His exploits are almost unattainable. On 23 January 2006 he managed to score in a game against the Toronto Raptors 81 points, mark surpassed only by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962, when he scored 100 points in a match.
When the season ends will have turned 20 since his debut in the NBA, all wearing purple and gold, another record that has not met anyone so far. It thus surpass Jack Stockton, who played 19 seasons in Utah Jazz uninterrupted from 1984 to 2003.
Kobe Bryant will in June almost 38 years and dozens of tributes from all the fans. The Lakers do not yet know whether removing wore the number 8 between 1996 and 2006, the 24 looks from 2006 or both.
Kobe Bryant retires, La Mamba Negra, begins the legend.
Happy 38th Birthday Kobe "The Black Mamba" Bryant