Kobe Bryant was putting the finishing touches on a 20-year NBA career (left) with a scoring outburst, while Stephen Curry (right) was propelling the Warriors to a record 73rd win.
OAKLAND, Calif. – To most, the thought of 73 victories in one NBA season for a team seemed unfathomable.
“That falls right in line with what Kobe’s been able to do his entire career. I was walking down the tunnel from the court and I can’t remember who told me, somebody told me Kobe had 60 on 50 shots,” said scoring champ Steph Curry, who “only” managed 46 points in the Warriors’ 125-104 stomping of the Grizzlies. “I was like, ‘Stop playing.’ I thought they were lying to me. It sounded too good to be true, having not watched the game. So I’ve seen some clips of the reception he had on the court after the game.
“That’s just the perfect ending to his career,” Curry said. “Being able to walk off the court, 37 years old, 20 years in the league, the 60 ball, can’t draw it up any better. And a win. That’s how you want to go out. So I’ll try to take notes if I’m in that position down the road.”
o Klay Thompson, whose 3-point shooting this season was overshadowed by Curry’s absurd 402 total triples, even as his 276 3-pointers became the third-greatest mark in history, trailing two Curry amounts, Bryant went out in “Mamba style.” Perfect.
“You couldn’t write that in a movie script. So for him to do that, that’s Mamba style,” Thompson said. “Sixty points? I mean, he’s got to be the oldest ever to get 60, and that’s unbelievable. I haven’t reached that yet. And to do it at 37 years old and the miles he’s got on his body, it’s legendary.
“You want it to see it happen to a guy like Kobe. He’s a fierce competitor, and you respect him the most because he really did give this game his all,” Thompson said in near awe. “You root for guys like that who really care about their craft. That’s why it was great to see him do what he did. What a night for basketball.”
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