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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers adjusts his jersey during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on February 19, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Lakers 102-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have one of the most famous superstars who played his entire career with one team. Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year career in Los Angeles. He won five titles and is considered one of the greatest players of all-time.
Bryant has been in the news lately after Bam Adebayo scored 83 points against the Wizards. That overtook the 81-point effort from Bryant against the Raptors for the second-most points scored in a single game in NBA history. Bryant also scored 60 points in his final game in the NBA.
Gordon Hayward was part of that final game, as he was a member of the Utah Jazz at that point. He was on the floor while Bryant was putting up 60. He has strong thoughts on that scoring performance.
Gordon Hayward Criticizes Kobe Bryant’s Final Game With the Lakers
While appearing on NBA Radio on SiriusXM, Hayward called Bryant’s final 60-point performance “not legitimate”.
“Now that game was different than any game I’ve ever been a part of as well. I mean, he took 50 shots, I think, or something like that. I mean, that one was also like not a legitimate game. Both teams were out. We knew we weren’t making the playoffs. They knew they weren’t making the playoffs.”
Neither the Lakers nor the Jazz were competing for anything in that final game of the season. Neither team was going to make the playoffs, as Hayward said. Hayward did give some props to Bryant for his final three minutes in that game.
“His last three minutes in that game were legendary. It was like the old Kobe for three minutes. They won the game, but we were up for most of the game pretty handily. The last three minutes, he like, turned it on, and it was like okay, it’s real Kobe.”
Kobe Bryant Forced Shots in Both Historic Games
In both his 81-point performance and his final 60-point game, Bryant forced up shots. Yet, it doesn’t matter. Teams force the ball to their best player all the time, and it doesn’t really matter. Every top option is going to take the most shots that they can.
To NBA fans, Bryant was always seen as a guy who didn’t pass the ball to his teammates. He was considered a ball-hog. To Lakers fans, he was seen as a winner. It’s a matter of perspective, and that’s what Adebayo’s performance will be remembered for, as well.
Hayward certainly respected what Bryant did in the final game of his career. Even though he took 50 shots to get to his 60 points, the Jazz were trying to play defense on him. They were not making it easy for him, pretty much from the moment the game tipped off.
Lakers fans still love what Bryant was able to do in that game. That will live on forever, especially since he tragically passed away just a few years later in a helicopter crash. Hayward and other NBA players certainly respect what Bryant was able to do in his career.