Kobe Bryant yearns for marquee showdowns

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James tries to get around Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, late in the fourth period in Thursday’s game Jan. 15, 2015. AP

LOS ANGELES, California—It is not the kind of season Kobe Bryant envisioned when he announced this would be his final one.

A parade of losses has rammed into his retirement tour, derailing what was supposed to be a magical farewell to the game of basketball.

But Bryant wouldn’t have it any other way.

On the heels of a terrible rout at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Laker lifer said he still relishes the thought of going up against the world’s best—with no one giving up an inch to him.

“Dwyane (Wade), Lebron (James), James (Harden)… All the marquee guys going through it one more time. Those are the things I wish. Those matchups,” Bryant said.

Vintage Kobe. Still looking for that mouthwatering showdown.

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (24) chases Kevin Durant during their game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AP

Kevin Durant understands the thrill of such a challenge. He understands Bryant’s need to make this season more than just a meaningful last run through stadiums and arenas.

“The thing is he (Kobe) will smile, but he’s still going to bring it,” said Durant who had 21 points against the Lakers in the Thunder’s 120-85 victory. “I challenged him, he challenged me. Nobody backed down. That’s great basketball right there. That’s all you want.”

Bryant said he’s looking forward to more matchups with the NBA’s top guns in his farewell season.

Admittedly, all the losing has been tough on Kobe Bryant as he goes through his 20th and final season.

But the five-time NBA champion, known for being a demanding teammate and his ultra competitive nature, has been extra patient as the Los Angeles Lakers desperately seek to stay in contention in the Western Conference.

Bryant’s announcement to retire after the season is helping deflect attention from the team’s woeful 5-25 record.

He’s kept the Lakers faithful at the edge of their seats and his every touch of the ball at Staples Center is met by hope that he’ll roll back the years and conjure something special.

Bryant was briefly serenaded by MVP chants after scoring 17 points in the first half of the loss to Oklahoma City Wednesday night.

Bryant knows it will take time for the Lakers to contend once more especially with a young nucleus led by Filipino-American guard Jordan Clarkson.

“You can train a cat all you want to bark. The damn cat is not going to bark. It makes no sense to be yelling at it,” Bryant told reporters after the Lakers suffered one of their worst losses of the season.

There was plenty to cheer about for the home team early on when Bryant went on a first half tear. He nailed a couple of treys one in front of Durant and also completed a three-point play off Russell Westbrook with his vintage fadeaway jumpshot before the visitors pulled away in the third period.

He’ll get more chances to go out with a bang. And trust Kobe to seize those opportunities and try to use them as the final touch to polishing his basketball legend.