Mamba Out: Kobe Bryant Retires As The Second All-Time Leading Scorer
DENVER, CO -- After 22 years, and barring a drastic change of heart, Kobe Bryant is riding off into the sunset. Addressing the crowd in the Los Angeles Lakers' final regular season game in Denver, Kobe declared "Mamba Out!" Bryant scored 12 points to go along with five rebounds and five assists, but the Nuggets won the game 104-80, putting a damper on his send-off.
Despite a valiant run during the second half of the season, the Los Angeles Lakers fell short of the eighth seed. Kobe, a five-time champion, had spoken of feeling inspired to make one last Playoff run. "You never know what'll happen until you get there," he remarked while the Lakers were still in Playoff contention. "You've just got to go out there and compete."
In addition to his five rings, Kobe Bryant ends his career with 37,410 points, the second-most all-time behind fellow Laker Legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Fittingly, Kobe passed Karl Malone for second place on January 31st, in a 108-107 victory over the Utah Jazz. He also scored a season-high of 30 points against the Boston Celtics - the team he and the Lakers defeated for his fifth ring - on February 22nd, but his regular season was peppered with single-digit scoring nights as age finally appeared to catch up to the Mamba.
"It's time," Kobe said after the game. "I have no regrets. I know this team will move forward with LeBron leading the way. It's been an honour to play my final four seasons with him. I'll be cheering them on from the sidelines."
Although Kobe insists that he's done, the Lakers are reportedly trying to talk him into returning for an unprecedented 23rd season. It's also expected that other teams will be making overtures in the hopes that Kobe might jump ship for a year-long farewell tour, and possible chance of a sixth ring to match the great Michael Jordan. Andrew Begley has expressed interest in Kobe joining him in Philadelphia, where Bryant was born. "It'd be an honour to help him get the all-time scoring record," commented A-Train, who himself has achieved new marks for scoring prowess this season.
Whatever happens next, one thing is clear: Kobe Bryant is bound for Springfield, following one of the best and most spectacular careers in league history. If the Mamba truly is out, then he's leaving us with a lifetime of memories.
Top-Seeded Timberwolves Lose Rubio for Season
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- The Minnesota Timberwolves finished the 2018 regular season on top of the West, but can't be feeling on top of the world right now, as two-time All-Star and starting point guard Ricky Rubio has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn MCL.
Rubio suffered the injury during the second quarter of the Timberwolves' regular season finale, a 114-105 victory over the Houston Rockets; the team they're about to face in the opening round of the Playoffs. A hush fell over what had been a jubilant crowd at the Target Center, as Rubio grimmaced in pain on the floor. Even after the victory, they remained subdued, correctly fearing the worst.
The Timberwolves made a stunning Cinderella run to the NBA Finals in 2016 despite Rubio battling injuries for much of the regular season and Playoffs, where they fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in four games. Since then, Rubio has become an All-Star, and was instrumental in their rise to the top of the Western Conference this year, averaging 13.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 9.1 apg, and 2.2 spg, while shooting a career-best 43% from downtown. He also set new single game career highs with 27 points and 20 assists.
"We're trying to stay positive," Timberwolves co-captain Kevin Love told reporters. "Obviously, we want Ricky out there with us. He's our maestro, after all. But we can't give up. A couple of years ago, we did the unthinkable. We're going to give it our all."
In addition to being ruled out for the remainder of the 2018 season, Rubio is expected to miss a significant portion of next season. Primary playmaking duties will likely fall to rookie Todd Walls, a combo guard who also spent time running the point at Kentucky last year. Veteran shooting guard Kevin Martin is also expected to move into the starting lineup alongside Walls.
2018 Playoffs Filled With Intriguing Subplots
The 2018 regular season is in the books, and the postseason is upon us! A couple of seeds weren't decided until the final night, with the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers crushing the New York Knicks' Playoff hopes in their regular season finale. The first round matchups are as follows:
EASTPhiladelphia 76ers (1) vs Orlando Magic (8)
Detroit Pistons (4) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (5)
Milwaukee Bucks (3) vs Indiana Pacers (6)
Washington Wizards (2) vs Chicago Bulls (7)
WESTMinnesota Timberwolves (1) vs Houston Rockets (8)
New Orleans Pelicans (4) vs Golden State Warriors (5)
Portland Trail Blazers (3) vs San Antonio Spurs (6)
Los Angeles Clippers (2) vs Sacramento Kings (7)
As the Playoffs get underway, there are several stories to keep an eye on...
The Philadelphia 76ers are primed to make a run at their fifth-consecutive championship. Despite being without Terry Hanson for most of the year, and Carmelo Anthony for long stretches as well, they once again went 81-1 in the regular season. Andrew Begley was again spectacular, leading the league in all five major categories on route to his fifth Most Valuable Player award. The 76ers are heavy favourites, but nothing is guaranteed, and there are questions about their future. Melo has made it clear that he intends to explore free agency, and seems unlikely to return. Having already won rings with the 76ers, Melo appears to be interested in a role as the top option again, and likely one last big payday. Whatever happens in the Drive for Five, we could be seeing a different Philadelphia team next year.
After making it to the Finals in 2014, the Portland Trail Blazers have since developed a reputation for choking in the first round. They'll be looking to end that streak this year, but will have to overcome a much-improved San Antonio Spurs team. The Spurs bottomed out following Tim Duncan's retirement, but have bounced back this year after adding James Harden and Tristan Thompson in the offseason. Several pundits have picked them as the most likely team to make an underdog run, something the Blazers obviously hope to prevent.
Golden State are back in the Playoffs, thanks to the stellar play of Steph Curry and Rookie of the Year Lonny Fowlkes. Klay Thompson has adjusted to his bench role admirably, and remains a threat whenever he's in the game. The Warriors' clash with the defending Western Conference champion Pelicans could be one of the most exciting first round matchups, with Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis leading the way for New Orleans.
Speaking of former Western champs, despite being the top seed, the Minnesota Timberwolves will need to recapture the underdog energy that led them all the way to the 2016 NBA Finals after losing Ricky Rubio to injury in the final game of the regular season; coincidentally against their first round opponent, the Houston Rockets. Jeremy Lin and Dwight Howard carried the Rockets to a respectable 42-40 record following the departure of James Harden this past offseason, while Evan Turner has championship experience from his days with the 76ers. Minnesota is still favoured, but might find themselves in a battle if they can't finish the series quickly.
For the second year in a row, the Detroit Pistons enter the postseason as the fourth seed in the East, with the honour of being the only team to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers during the regular season. Jackson Ellis remains the star in Motown, and could be on a collision course with A-Train in the second round once again. He'll need to outplay Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers to get there, though.
The Milwaukee Bucks have the best backcourt in the league in Tracy Brock and Pat Clemons, but the Indiana Pacers have a great duo of their own in Paul George and Malik Garrett. Milwaukee has given the 76ers problems at times, which may lead to an epic Eastern Conference Finals showdown if both teams get through. The Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the best teams in the West the past few seasons, only to flame out in the Playoffs. They're entering the postseason relatively healthy though, which bodes well for their chances...at least for getting by the Sacramento Kings in the first round.
Washington has very quietly had a fine season, despite losing dynamic backup point guard Elden Jennings for the year. The Wizards face a Chicago Bulls teams that has had a disappointing season, after years as a legitimate contender. Injuries haven't helped the team from the Windy City, though many fans have been grumbling that the team re-signed Derrick Rose rather than making a serious bid for A-Train, given the reigning MVP's apparent interest in joining them.
We could be due to a big shake-up in the offseason, from the defending champions right down to the last-placed Oklahoma City Thunder. Before that though, we can expect some fantastic basketball to be played in the 2018 postseason! Will the 76ers complete their Drive for Five, or will a new champion stand tall when it's all said and done? Get ready for an exciting two months of NBA action!
