Area retiree feted

LOS ANGELES -- A local man was celebrated by former co-workers in a ceremony befitting his contributions on Monday.

Kobe Bryant, 39, of Orange County, retired in 2016 after working for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years. As he was known to be quite a lot to take during his career, the Lakers felt it was only right that the team double the normal celebration by placing two of his work uniforms on display.

Bryant gave what appears to be his 14th post-retirement speech. One observer noted that it was appropriate that the Lakers retired both No. 8 and No. 24 given that no player in NBA history had more 8-of-24 shooting performances than Bryant. Bryant also shared some insight into how he really had two careers with the Lakers.

Puppets were also on hand for the celebration.

Bryant played shooting guard during his time with the Lakers. In perhaps the most touching tribute of the night, Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson shot 6-of-24 from the floor and Lakers shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shot 4-of-17.

NYK 91, CHA 109
BOS 112, IND 111
MIA 104, ATL 110
PHI 115, CHI 117
UTA 99, HOU 120
POR 107, MIN 108
DEN 94, OKC 95
PHX 97, DAL 91
LAC 91, SAS 109
GSW 116, LAL 114 (OT)

SB Nation still has an audience survey going. Respond, if it pleases you.

Eric Adelson raises fair questions about Kobe’s legacy given what we know about Eagle, Colo. This Undefeated piece on Kobe was well-done.

What a night of great basketball. This game-winning steal and dunk for Terry Rozier was incredible! Russell Westbrook went to the rim to draw the clinching foul. Jimmy Butler locked it up for the Wolves over Portland. Nikola Mirotic is now 6-0 after a close win over the Sixers! And the Lakers-Warriors game ... oh boy.

Kevin Durant iced the game for Golden State in overtime. Shout out to KD for climbing out of the shallow grave Larry Nance put him in with this incredible dunk. Oh, and also the shallow grave Julius Randle put him in with this dunk. Apparently it’s Dunk On Kevin Durant And Then Lose To Him season.

Holy smokes. The Rockets trailed the Jazz by eight with 10 minutes left. Houston went on a 37-8 run (with Eric Gordon hitting five threes) to finish with a 21-point win. Fourteen straight wins. [Kanye voice] Scary. ... Scary.

So Domantas Sabonis grabbed the unofficial, unclaimed Dunk of the Year title over the weekend. Jayson Tatum stole it right out of his pocket on Monday. Kid has some real boom.

It sounds like Isaiah Thomas’ first game with the Cavaliers might come against the Celtics. Oh boy, that’s going to be a rough one for Boston.

The NBA isn’t planning to televise the All-Star Game draft or even release the actual draft order. What’s the point of it all, then?

The real problem with the new Nike jerseys.

Don’t let it escape notice that the current Warriors starting lineup is super weird.

Every time Giannis Antetokounmpo has gone from halfcourt to the rim in one dribble.

Tobias Harris is shooting as many threes as Klay Thompson.

Shout out to the little buddy Matt Moore.

Be excellent to each other.