The Lakers followed up their big win against the Celtics by losing to the Grizzlies... but Kobe Bryant didn't really seem to care. He went off for 44 points to become the Lakers all-time scoring leader.
But not everyone was happy for him. Pau Gasol and Phil Jackson both had not-so-subtle digs for Kobe and his greediness.
Gasol was asked about Bryant’s new record and offered politically correct – and believably authentic – commentary (“I’m proud of him; I congratulate him”) before adding the kicker: “Now we can focus on winning games again.”
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Bear in mind that Phil Jackson was a little miffed at Bryant on his historic night, too. Jackson told the team at halftime, when Bryant had 23 of the Lakers’ 50 points, that Bryant was “forcing the action.” Jackson also said in the halftime locker room, alluding to the 29 points Bryant needed in the game to pass Jerry West: “Let’s get him over the hump, so we can play team ball again.”
I love how Kobe needed, for some reason, to break the record in front of Jerry West.
Yeah, Lakers fans... you beat the C's the other day. Savor your January victories now. Your team has underlying problems that will bite you in the ass come playoff time.