The Raptors tip off against the Los Angeles Lakers at 10:30 on Sportsnet One, a meeting that could be the final time Kobe Bryant plays against the franchise.
After sitting out the team’s Monday game due to general fatigue and soreness, Bryant is a go for Friday’s contest. As explained in greater detail earlier today, Bryant is talking as if retirement is on the horizon following the season. His final visit to Toronto, where he hasn’t played in nearly three calendar years, is scheduled for Dec. 7, the second night of a back-to-back for the Lakers, making his status for that game questionable at best.
The 20-year veteran and 17-time All-Star has played _ career games against the Raptors, averaging 27.7 points, six rebounds, and 5.4 assists. Of all NBA teams, the Raptors have allowed Bryant to shoot his highest field-goal percentage (47.2) and 3-point percentage (37.3). There’s also the matter of his 81-point game.
But with Bryant showing the signs of a basketball odometer like no other, he’s no longer a major threat, and the Raptors stand as 6.5-point favorites on the road. You can check out the full game preview here.
Powell, DeRozan
The meeting with Bryant may hold a special meaning to Norman Powell and DeMar DeRozan. Both players are California natives who spent their college years in the state. Powell identifies Bryant as his favorite player, while DeRozan leaned on Bryant for council while rehabbing an injury of his own last year. Here’s a brief exceprt from Powell’s excellent one-on-one with Holly MacKenzie of Raptors.com linked above:
Significance of your number?
NP: 24? I chose this number since I couldn’t have No. 4. That had always been my number, but I had to give that to Luis Scola. I’m always a big 24 guy because of Kobe. Growing up I used to wear 24 in AAU, saying I was the next Kobe, so I thought it would be fitting to wear this in my first year in the NBA [with No. 4 gone].Were you nervous or excited checking in during that preseason game against the Lakers?
NP: I wasn’t nervous, I was more like, ‘Dang, that’s Kobe.’ During one of the timeouts, walking past him, I’m like ‘Yo, I’m like two inches away from Kobe Bryant right now. That’s crazy.’ I’m trying not to like, be like, ’Yo man, what’s up?’ I tried to play it cool.Favourite Kobe moment?
NP: Besides the 81?
Damn, Norm.
Injuries
Terrence Ross will return. More shortly.
What will Kobe’s final line be?
Guess Kobe’s final points-rebounds-assists line correctly in the comments BEFORE tip-off and I’ll buy you a beer at a Raptors or 905 game TBD in the future.
The shot looks good unguarded, so guess high on the points. But wait, it could be Facilitator Kobe tonight!
Byron believes Kobe will keep balance on scoring/facilitating so long as teammates have proper spacing
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) November 21, 2015
