Kobe Bryant’s top 10 performances and an insight into his regular season, 2010-11 (Part 4)
He knew how badly his team and fans wanted the victory so he catapulted against the Sacramento Kings to knock them off and snatch their last chance to say a victorious goodbye to the Sacramento audience.
The Lakers had seen the worst of the season in form of five losses in a row that resulted in Bryant’s stronger than ever resolve. The phenomenal guard triggered his defenses to hold the team up, not letting them fall off at the season finale night.
He hit a three-pointer at the final 9:06 mark of the game when the Kings were leading, 99-96, tying the scores at 99-99. He needed the win badly and so did the Kings. Al Thornton came forward to break the tie but Bryant moved ahead to block the shot, pushing
the game into overtime, that resulted in Lakers victory, 116-108.
He tallied 36 points in the extravaganza and grabbed nine rebounds that left him just one shy of a double-double. He also dished out six assists and gave a splendid performance from the free throw line, 9 of 10.
Sealing the season with a perfect victory, Bryant was sharing the big moment with coach and teammates when he told the reporters how they had known that the win belonged to them when he said, "I told Phil it's fitting it's going to end this way."
Success follows defeat and vice versa. Where there were glorious moments there were also times when the player could not make the impact he had decided to make. Like others, Bryant also had a season low score but that was because he suffered from sprain
in his right pinky finger in the opening quarter of the game.
The player’s season low was nine points in a 93-81 victory against Indiana Pacers on December 17, 2010. He was quoted as saying after the game, "I kind of had to quarterback things a little bit more."
Bryant resisted it and did not let it happen again. He did not score less than 12 points after that. Even when he hurt his ankle and missed practice later in the season, he did not rest and carried on with the same strike to lead his team.
Bryant carries a rock steady resolve to make his team’s dream of winning the third straight NBA title come true. Fans should definitely keep their fingers crossed.
Bryant also earned 15 technical fouls this season. Luckily, the player avoided his 16th in the final game, keeping his stance cool throughout the emotional game. Had he picked on his 16th foul, he would have to suffer a one game suspension
right at the beginning of the next NBA season and that would have been something that his fans could not bear.
The Lakers will look forward to same charismatic performances by the player as they have already won two NBA titles in a row and are looking forward to bring home the third one as well.
Besides, this is coach Phil Jackson's last season as he has decided to retire from the NBA. Bryant insisted Jackson to stay and brought him back when he left in 2004 and he would definitely bid him farewell in his Black Mamba style.
Tags: