Although the early Christmas gift was a little disappointing, Laker fans were still thankful and will end 2013 on a much happier note than they would have without the early present.
For the past week, the sports world, Laker fans and maybe you, have been acting like a kid on the night before Christmas, staring at a specific box under the Christmas tree, knowing exactly what it is and shaking from the anxiety of wanting to see the desired object that will replace your existing inferior ones. To your surprise, your parents allow you to open the box early, you tear off the shiny prestigious packaging and with unrealistic expectations and fantasy thoughts, you expect the gift to be as great as it was marketed. But, it didn’t come with batteries, a piece seems to be missing, you look at it, confirm that it looks like the greatness you expected but plays like a factory defect. You then calm down, come to your senses, face reality and accept it is what is and that’s still better than what you had and it represents something much bigger and better and for that you should be thankful.
LAKERS ANNOUNCE KOBE’S RETURN ON FACEBOOK
NBA: WELCOME BACK KOBE VIDEO
NIKE COMMERCIAL: KOBE COMEBACK
If he never got up, he’d still be called a hero.
And if he hadn’t stepped back on to the court, he’d still be a Hall of Famer.
And if he didn’t hit those free throws, he would still go down in basketball history.
And if he never came back to the game, he’d be a living legend.
But he wouldn’t be Kobe Bryant.
#justdoit
THE PREGAME INTERVIEW
THE INTRO: DARTH VADAR THEME
THE HIGHLIGHTS
THE STATS
Raptors 106 – Lakers 94
Kobe Bryant: 9 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 fouls, 8 turnovers, 28 minutes (2-9 fg, 0-3 3pt, 5-7 ft)
THE POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
This Was A Complete Failure To Me.
I felt like I could run all day long, it’s just a matter of getting those game legs back.
THE REACTION
With this loss tonight, LAL will be 10-10 after 20 games. They were 9-11 last season.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 9, 2013
THE IMAGES
THE TRADE
Hours before the game, the Raptors traded Rudy Gay to the Kings in a 7 player trade.