As we’ve noted and celebrated, Kobe Bryant started out his final game in Philadelphia on a high note, hitting some early threes and drawing huge ovations from a crowd that hasn’t always been in his corner. But “regression to the mean” is a nasty 12-letter word, and nothing gold can stay.
Kobe Bryant is still a highlight machine
For a different definition of highlight than we’re used to.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
So later on in Lakers-Sixers, once Kobe had cooled precipitously, this 12-second exercise in futility happened. Via @World_Wide_Wob.
KOBE BRYANT pic.twitter.com/aztndxIklp
— Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) December 2, 2015
This is beautiful in every sense of the word. Kobe’s footwork is still impeccable. His brain still clicks on every move and counter and pivot. It’s a textbook triple-threat breakdown ...
... but he's too creaky to actually get past Hollis Thompson, he's too Kobe to give up the ghost and pass, and he's too tired in the legs to get enough on his shot to draw rim. The skills and ferocity are there. The body parts are not.
There is something beautiful and heartbreaking in this Kobe highlight. Let it haunt your dreams as it has mine.
