Before the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, Zach LaVine talked about Kobe Bryant and how the five-time champion was his childhood hero. In his first game against Kobe and the Lakers, the Minnesota rookie exploded for a career-high 28 points on 11-for-14 shooting in just 26 minutes.
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Following the fourth win of the season, LaVine talked about guarding his childhood idol and the potential game-winner according to Lakers Nation senior writer Ryan Ward:
Zach LaVine on guarding Kobe: “It was crazy. I caught myself a couple times during the game just watching him & thinking man, that’s Kobe.”
— Ryan Ward (@Lakers_Examiner) November 29, 2014
LaVine on Kobe: “I was a little anxious when he had the ball with a chance to win, but luckily it fell short and we came out with the W.”
— Ryan Ward (@Lakers_Examiner) November 29, 2014
With LaVine being just one-year-old when Kobe entered the league in 1996, this new era of players grew up watching the five-time champion and have the utmost respect for what he has accomplished throughout his career. Although Kobe is nearing the end of his career, his greatness was on full display against not only LaVine, but this year’s number one overall pick, Andrew Wiggins.
For the Lakers, they have not won a game during this four-game homestand as they host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday before heading out on a three-game road trip. While the Lakers have been able to score with any team this season, their defense has been nonexistent late in games.
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