The Golden State Warriors entered the Staples Center Tuesday night with a 22-3 record.
They exited with a 22-4 record.
That's correct. The 8-19 Lakers dominated the best team in the Western Conference from the opening tip; they raced out to a half time lead of 63-48 and finished the game with a 115-105 final victory.
The Lakers' unofficial poet laureate Nick Young was asked about the team's unexpectedly excellent play post-game, and "Swaggy P" offered his typically off-kilter analysis of the proceedings.
It wasn't lost on anyone that this game was played with Kobe Bryant watching the action in street clothes. The former All-Pro has drawn immense criticism from NBA circles for his volume shooting. The "Black Mamba" has been rather fang-less this season, averaging 25 points per game, but requiring 22 shots and a 37% field goal percentage in the process.
Bryant has been especially horrendous in the past week. He's shot just 29% in his last five games, and his most recent performance (8-for-30 from the field, 9 turnovers) ranks among the worst statistical efforts in the modern era.
There's no mistaking that his iso-heavy inclinations often reduce his fellow Lakers teammates to spectators. Young's comments that the team played 'unchained' and 'free' no doubt carried a healthy dose of subtext.
Kobe is expected to play on Christmas Day against the visiting Chicago Bulls. It'll be interesting to see if the team's chemistry 'coincidentally' suffers upon his return.
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