The Los Angeles Lakers were a trifle excited when they got their 14th victory of the season, but their joy did not extend to the team’s biggest star, Kobe Bryant.
With Bryant out for the season and the Lakers headed for lottery-pick territory, the team managed to snap a seven-game losing streak Sunday night with an overtime victory against the Boston Celtics. Jeremy Lin, who had scored 25 points in the win, was interrupted by his ecstatic teammates after the game.
From the cozy cushions of Jimmy Kimmel’s couch, Bryant was asked his opinion of the idea of celebrating a 14th win in February rather than December and he gave perhaps the most Kobe-esque response imaginable: a cold, hard stare.
Bryant may have been playing it for laughs, but the steam coming off the top of his head and his look were a message to teammates who are struggling with Bryant out for the season. As in case the message weren’t clear enough, the conversation then whipped over to movies and, specifically, to “Whiplash,” the tale of a jazz drummer and his abusive teacher.
Bryant admitted that he sees a bit of himself in the “Whiplash” teacher played by J.K. Simmons, who won an Oscar Sunday night. “I do actually. If you’re doing something and it’s not very well done, I’m not going to say it was very well done.”
In fact, he may not say anything at all.
After spending most of her career in traditional print sports journalism, Cindy began blogging and tweeting, first as NFL/Redskins editor, and, since August 2010, at The Early Lead. She also is the social media editor for Sports.
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