The Black Mamba rolled into Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves with some hardware. Here is a close look at the masked-man, Kobe Bryant. 

We all knew Bryant was one gritty player, but this is getting ridiculous. While we are on the subject of ridiculous, let's get a closer look at the mask that makes Bryant looking like Rip Hamilton, and not in a good way. 

Pic via TheScore's Instagram. 

Thank you to Royce Young for this TwitPic of Kobe Bryant looking like the saddest kid at the party. I would hug him, but I wouldn't want to get any awkward on me. 

Laker Nation gives us a top-down picture of Bryant. No matter how you look at it, Bryant looks geekier that Chris Kaman with suspenders on. 

Robert Littal of Black Sports Online gives us Bryant as Dr. Doom. This is probably the most glorious thing I have seen featuring a pitiful Mamba face. 

It came as a bit of a surprise that Bryant suited up for the Lakers' game against the T-Wolves. He was dealt a tremendous blow late in Sunday's All-Star game wherein a Dwyane Wade foul delivered some blood, a broken nose and a concussion.

Ah, but you can't keep a good man down. 

Here is the video of Bryant getting pummeled during a game when buckets are given like cupcakes at a bake sale. 

Wade was overzealous and cheap in trying to go for a hard foul during a game that means absolutely nothing.

Now that we got that out of the way, I can now say that Bryant's mask was the highlight of Wednesday night.

It was a basketball-loaded evening that included Jeremy Lin, yet all I want to talk about is this goofy mask and the legend that has to wear it.  

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