Smush Parker and Kobe Bryant engage in a chest-bump celebration after a victory over the cross-town rival Clippers.
Ever since the Lakers and Clippers moved to Staples Center, I've really looked forward to watching the two teams play against each other. Especially when it's a Clipper home game. There's something about a sold-out Clippers crowd rooting against the Lakers — L.A.'s more popular hoops team.
It's like the little brother trying to trump the big brother, at the little brother's home turf, with all his friends wildly cheering him on.
As I was watching tonight's matchup at my apartment, I saw something at an NBA game that I've never seen before.
In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter Kobe Bryant hit two three-pointers in a row. Then a well-defended pull-up jumper. Then another three. The Clipper crowd was in a frenzy. They began chanting "Ko-be,Ko-be, Ko-be."
In the first half, he got booed whenever he got the ball.
It was freakish to hear the Clippers' crowd cheering emphatically for a player on the opposing team.
The Purple and Gold went on to win the game 112-109. Bryant finished with fifty points.
