Kobe Bryant on Boston fans: ‘If I could chant for them I would’
Kobe Bryant left the TD Garden floor for the final time as a player on Wednesday night and did so on a winning note.
The 37-year-old scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, including a dagger 3-point shot down the stretch, helping the Lakers leave Boston with a 112-104 win. The strong finish for Bryant overshadowed an overall ugly shooting night (5 for 18) by the shooting guard.
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After the game, Bryant lingered on the court to show his appreciation to Garden fans who greeted him with a warm ovation as starting lineups were announced earlier in the night before booing him when he touched the ball once the game got underway.
“It was unbelievable,’’ Bryant said of the varying receptions. “It felt great to get booed. It was like the recognition at the top of the game, and then as soon as I touched the ball they booed. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m home.’ It felt great.’’
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A sizable number of Lakers fans were also in attendance for the contest and that contingent led several “Kobe’’ chants that broke out over the course of the evening, especially during Bryant’s hot fourth quarter run.
The chants surprisingly did not bother the Celtics players in the midst of a home defeat.
“I think typically [the Garden crowd] would never do that,’’ Evan Turner said, “But I mean, it just says how much respect the league and fans actually have for the great career this guy put together. He hit some big shots down the stretch and I think eventually, in a certain way, you kinda lose sight in the bravado of, ‘This is Boston.’ They’re saying, ‘I appreciate what a legend did’ to a certain extent, you know.’’
“It doesn’t bother me when the other team has a crowd on our home court,’’ Jae Crowder added. “It’s a part of it. The Lakers have good traditions just like the Boston Celtics organization, so it’s two good organizations going at it. It’s a great rivalry and I really don’t mind it.’’
Bryant acknowledged in his postgame press conference that he wanted to tip his cap just as much to those rival fans who helped to push his game to another level during his 20-year career.
“You know, honestly if I could chant for them, I would,’’ Bryant explained postgame. “I don’t think the fans here really understand how much they drove me. From the singing of the songs, the shaking of the bus going back to the hotel, you know, that stuff really stuck with me. I mean it drove me to maniacal proportions. You know what I mean. So I don’t think they really understand they meant to my career.’’
A final win in Boston didn’t mean much on paper for Bryant as his team improved to a woeful 6-27 on the year. Instead, in his 20th NBA season, Bryant was much more reflective on the history between the two franchises.
“I mean, you just try to win as many games as possible,’’ Bryant said. “For me, it’s beyond that. It’s really just the memory. It’s the legacy of this organization – this franchise. And the fact that I was able to play a small part in that rivalry is enough for me.’’
While Bryant’s basketball days in Boston are done, he was adamant that he isn’t necessarily saying goodbye to the region for good.
“Absolutely will,’’ Bryant responded when asked if he would be back following his retirement. “You know it’s the history here. It’s a culture. You know, in L.A., everything’s so new. You don’t really feel the culture and our history. So to be able to walk around here and see the buildings and the people – it’s special. So, I’ll be around.’’
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