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LinkKobe Bryant shows respect to ailing referee Greg Willard
His family was waiting patiently down the hall. And as usual, after all the postgame icing and treatments he must go through to keep his 34-year-old body in the kind of shape it needs to be in for him to still be him, Kobe Bryant was one of the last Lakers to leave the locker room after Tuesday night's 114-80 loss to the Utah Jazz.
But Bryant had a stop to make before leaving the Honda Center and heading home to nearby Newport Beach.
Longtime referee Greg Willard, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June, had just taken the court and officiated the game even as his body showed the ravages of the pernicious disease.
The Lakers had already sent the game ball to the referees' locker room. Several had shook Willard's hand after the game. Bryant stopped by for a visit on his way out.
"He's an extremely good ref," Bryant said of Willard, 53. "He doesn't hold grudges. He just makes the call in front of him.
"Honestly, tonight I wanted him to T me up for old time's sake. I didn't want him to have any kind of special night. I wanted it to be just like it's always been. I wanted to drop a couple F-bombs to him.
"I wanted it to be like how it's always been. That's the best way. "
In the second quarter, Bryant almost made that happen when Willard called him for a questionable hand-check foul. He turned and glared at Willard, who stood stone-faced. He said something colorful to him that might have earned him a technical foul, but obviously didn't go far enough. As good referees do in such situations, Willard walked away and ran down the court.
And the game went on.
Nice Q & A you had with yourselfBaby hook, like Magic used? Not the skyhook Kareem style right?
They plan on usin him at the 4 alot this year don't they? Bosh, Bron, Wade, Allen, Chalmers on O, sub in Battier on D late in games. That the plan for them this year? So he's going to be on the block a lot more this year than years past? I like that. He starts crushing that and it's going to get ridiculous.
rep'dWell after yesterday it's better I just sit in here and talk to myself. Dudes come out the wordworks with the quickness soon as I mention somethin they wanna pounce on. Don't want any batsignals goin off and ****.
Might as well give him the max then.Whatever happens...it won't be until after the season. Doubt we'll see an extension before the 10/31 deadline.
Baby hook, like Magic used? Not the skyhook Kareem style right?
They plan on usin him at the 4 alot this year don't they? Bosh, Bron, Wade, Allen, Chalmers on O, sub in Battier on D late in games. That the plan for them this year? So he's going to be on the block a lot more this year than years past? I like that. He starts crushing that and it's going to get ridiculous.
wow Love out 6-8 weeks with a broken hand
Jon Krawczynski @APkrawczynski
Love was injured during a morning workout. Just unbelievable the bad luck these #TWolves had
Jerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda
KLove will see a New York City hand specialist on Thursday for evaluation
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Over the last 2 seasons combined, Love leads Minny in points, offensive rebs, three-pointers- and only Ridnour & Rubio have more assists.
Zach Harper @talkhoops
Dear Derrick Williams, make it work. Love, Wolves fans.
wow Love out 6-8 weeks with a broken hand
God damn it.
Rubio torn ACL... Love broken hand...
Why can't a player like JJ Barea ever get injured? Has to be a franchise player, huh?
Time to fire Kahn.Jon Krawczynski @APkrawczynski
Love was injured during a morning workout. Just unbelievable the bad luck these #TWolves hadJerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda
KLove will see a New York City hand specialist on Thursday for evaluationTommy Beer @TommyBeer
Over the last 2 seasons combined, Love leads Minny in points, offensive rebs, three-pointers- and only Ridnour & Rubio have more assists.God damn it.Zach Harper @talkhoops
Dear Derrick Williams, make it work. Love, Wolves fans.
Rubio torn ACL... Love broken hand...
Why can't a player like JJ Barea ever get injured? Has to be a franchise player, huh?