Sunday afternoon marked the final meeting between Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and Houston Rockets All-Star James Harden. For more than a decade, Kobe was the NBA’s premier shooting guard and most consider Harden the best at the position today.
A California native who graduated from Artesia High School in Lakewood, Harden grew up watching Kobe dominate the NBA, and he relished his final outing against him.
According to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters, Harden said he will cherish his final game against Kobe for the rest of his life:
James Harden said his final game vs. Kobe Bryant tonight is "something I will remember for the rest of my life."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 10, 2016
Harden also revealed that in his conversation with Kobe as they walked off the floor, he asked Kobe and the Lakers for a little help in their final game via Winters:
James Harden on his convo w/ Kobe (2/2): "And then on a side note, I just told him we need y'all to be Utah. We just need some help."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 10, 2016
With the Rockets currently on the outside looking in at the Western Conference playoff picture, a Jazz loss on the final night of the season to the Lakers would be exactly what Houston needs to sneak in the final spot, assuming they win out themselves.
This game, however, was all about the showdown between Harden and Kobe. While Kobe had a great game, scoring 35 points, it was Harden who outpaced his idol with 40 for a night that he will be able to tell his kids and grandkids about.