Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers were sent back crashing to the earth after losing to Memphies Grizzlies, 107-102 (and then they lost to New Orleans again today, 102-109). Before that loss, Lakers has already set the worst start in the franchise so its fair to say that the media didn't talk about that loss the way they did with the first four. However, team's superstar is still in the center of the news. Not because of another retro performance but because of setting a new record, the kind of record that one wouldn't want to own.
With 6:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, Kobe missed his attempt at the basket, his 13th of the game. That missed shot was also his 13,418th - the most of any player in the NBA. He finished the game with 28 points on 10 out of 26 shooting. Kobe Bryant now passed Boston Celtics Hall of Famer John Havlicek for first on the all-time missed-field-goals list.
Some basketball fans used this feat against Kobe Bryant and his ranking in NBA's greatest player. However, for Kobe Bryant himself, it is something that is bound to happen for a basketball player who plays shooting guard and has been in the league for almost 19 years. ESPN's Baxter Holmes talked to Kobe after their loss to Memphis about that record. The Los Angeles Lakers star was asked if he was aware of that record. Here is his answer:
"Nah, I don't follow that stuff, man," the Black Mamba said.
Holmes followed up if he can explain that NBA record.
"Well, I'm a shooting guard that's played 19 years," he said, shrugging and smiling. He later added, "Like I said, 'shooting' guard, 19th year."
OC Register also got to ask Kobe about his record.
"Bryant was asked if, in those 13,421 misses, any particular ones stood out. Meaning, any shots he would really, really like back?
"Yeah, all the ones where I've had to bail the team out at the end of the shot clock," he said. "It annoys the crap out of me. Kills my field goal percentage."
