Kobe Bryant's Killer Instinct

There may be no better finisher in the NBA than Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.  Outside of Cleveland’s LeBron James, Bryant is the best fourth quarter player in the league.  As a game comes to a close, there’s no question you want the ball in his hands—unless of course you’re playing against him.

Yet, Bryant made possibly his best case for an MVP in a game in which he did not attempt a single fourth quarter shot.  No rebounds, no assists, no steals.

In fact Bryant didn’t play a single minute in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win against Seattle.   But this was an example of the leadership he shows on a nightly basis.
 

With just over four minutes to go in the third quarter the Lakers led by 31, with Bryant and Sonics guard Mickael Gelabale fighting for a rebound.  Gelabale won the struggle and secured the ball, but Bryant believed he had been fouled.

After not getting a call, Bryant let referee Brian Forte—son of veteran NBA ref Joe Forte—hear about it.  With the Sonics setting up their offense at the other end, Forte popped Bryant with a technical foul.
 

As Sonics forward Kevin Durant took his place at the line, Bryant chased Forte down the court.  Head tilted, body language making obvious his anger and frustration, Bryant told the young referee exactly how he felt.

Forte acted correctly and walked away from the irate superstar.  He looked away from Kobe and let him talk.  And then he let him walk.
 

Forte issued Bryant his second technical and ejected him from the game—Bryant’s first ejection of the season.  To a chorus of boos and laughter from the Key Arena fans, Bryant continued to jaw at Forte as he exited the floor.

The Lakers were comfortably ahead in a game they would easily win—for their 11th straight victory —and Bryant was unusually upset about this simple no-call.
 

The fact that a player of Bryant’s level would get ejected from a game says a lot about the league.  The world perceives these players as prima donnas and the referees are not going to let themselves be shown up.

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