LOS ANGELES – The NBA was kind enough to keep Kobe Bryant in the Christmas lineup. Its schedule-makers also thought enough of viewers to wedge Bryant’s Lakers in a time slot when most of the country would be asleep.
The sellout crowd at Staples Center can remember Friday’s 94-84 loss to the Clippers for its historical significance – Bryant’s 16th and final Christmas Day appearance – than anything Bryant, or anyone else for that matter, did on the floor.
Bryant scored 12 points in 26 minutes.
Take away the three minutes in the second quarter when Bryant scored nine of his points – trimming a 17-point deficit to 10 qualifies as a comeback for the Lakers – the 37-year-old was perfectly ordinary.