Nightly Noise: Kobe Bryant breaks the Bucks’ heart

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the vintage Kobe Bryant heroics we saw this evening. The Milwaukee Bucks forced an overtime game against the top-dog Los Angeles Lakers, and even had them at their mercy during the extra period. Up by four points with less than a minute left to go, Bryant drew a (highly questionable) foul on a made basket and converted the three-point play. After getting a stop on the other end, the Lakers would have 5.4 seconds on the clock and a final chance at stealing the victory. At this point I turned to my friends and acknowledged that the Lakers had this game in the bag. It is all too familiar, too routine, for the Lakers and Bryant. The Lakers inbound it to Bryant who hustles down court and jostles into position around the left elbow. After a quick hesitation-shake to the left, Bryant spun to his right shoulder and lofted a fadeaway over the outstretched arms of Charlie Bell. All net. Game over. Don’t even get me started on Bryants heroics earlier this season against the Miami Heat. Is Bryant the best closer the NBA has ever seen?