Byron Scott On Kobe's Loss-Filled Farewell Tour: 'I Hate To See Him Go Out This Way'
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — As the Lakers lost for the 61st time of the season Tuesday night, Lakers Coach Byron Scott said he was heartbroken to see Kobe Bryant's 20-year career ending as the team winds down its worst season in franchise history.
"I hate to see him go out this way. It bothers the hell out of me," Scott said. "He still has the heart of a champion. That will never leave him."
In Tuesday's 103-81 loss to the Clippers, the Lakers fell behind 20-2 to start the game, with Bryant missing all six shots in the first quarter.
Bryant scored six points on 2-of-12 shooting, following a 34-point performance in a loss to Boston on Sunday.
Bryant didn't play in the fourth and sat on the bench looking more like an aging NFL quarterback, with both shoulders and both knees heavily wrapped.
Fans saluted him by doing various chants of his name, causing Bryant to laugh and point at them in thanks. They held up homemade signs and used camera phones to capture his constant smile.
"It's pretty cool for them to give me that type of treatment," Bryant said after the game. "It felt good."
Beyond on-the-court woes, the Lakers this season have also been dealing with a divided locker room. Tensions reached a new high last week when a video secretly recorded by rookie D'Angelo Russell showing Nick Young apparently bragging about cheating on his girlfriend was leaked on the Internet and went viral.
Bryant's last game will come April 13, against the Jazz. In their previous game against the Jazz on March 28, the Lakers were dealt a 123-75 loss that tied their largest loss in the team history.
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