Live Thread: Cavs @ Lakers (#OnceMoreWithFeeling?)

The first time I ever witnessed LeBron and Kobe square off in person was Christmas Day, 2009, at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Sure, I’d seen them go King mano y Mamba several times before on national TV, but that was the first live experience I’d ever had in the presence of these two giants of the game. They didn’t disappoint.

In a matchup of the two early favorites to reach the Finals that season, LeBron scored 26 points with nine assists, and Kobe racked up a near triple double with 35 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Of course, it took Kobe 33 shots and 45 minutes on the floor, and Bron had seven turnovers in his 41 minutes of play… but that didn’t impact my enjoyment. In the end, LBJ was able to lead the Cavs to a signature victory over Los Angeles on their home floor, 102-87, in a game marred by five Laker technical fouls, a Lamar Odom ejection, and an unruly crowd who spent much of the second half showering the court with yellow foam hands (in the shape of “LA” commemorating Nike’s infamous Kobe and LeBron puppet campaign) and plastic bottles.

Many (myself included) thought this game would be a precursor to a wild meeting in the 2010 Finals between these two icons and their respective teams (including Nike… thus the puppet promotion). Alas, the Boston Celtics, Bron’s elbow (and possibly his will) ensured that meeting — perhaps the best chance for a Kobe/LeBron playoff face-off — did not come to fruition. Even though every Finals since 2007 has featured either the King or the Mamba… they’ve never faced each other. They have been the proverbial ships passing in the night. And now, with Kobe on his farewell tour, and the once mighty Lakers reduced to cellar dwellers, this clash of titans will unfortunately never be.

So, this is the last time these two legends will square off and share the same hardwood in a game that matters… or is it? One report earlier in the day stated that Byron Scott doesn’t know if Kobe and his ailing shoulder will be able to go tonight.

Byron still not sure if Kobe (shoulder) will play tonight vs. Cleveland.

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) March 10, 2016

Hopefully, the Lakers’ medical staff has enough duct tape and painkillers to get the Mamba through one last tete a tete with his replacement as the face of the NBA (at least until the inevitable Steph Curry takeover). Otherwise, this year’s embarrassment of an All Star Game will be remembered as the final time LeBron and Kobe went one-on-one with the world watching.

For his part, James has said he is looking forward to this last opportunity to face Kobe…

“I think it’ll be very emotional and very fun,” James said. “Obviously I want to win and he wants to win, too. But some things about that will be much bigger than a win or a loss … just to be able to see him and know it’s his last go-round. I don’t know. It won’t really make sense next year when you see the Lakers and you don’t see Kobe in a uniform. Twenty years, 13 out of my career. It’s almost half of my life I’ve seen him in a Lakers uniform as a professional. It’s going to be pretty weird.”

Yes, there is still an actual game to be played between the Cavs and the Lakers tonight. The Cavs are coming off a somewhat cathartic win against a mess of a Sacramento Kings team. After spending about 45 minutes doing yo-yo tricks with the Kings, the Cavs finally put them away following Kevin Love’s transcendent four-point Banana Republic in the tailpipe shot. Galvanization ensued, and the Cavs pulled away for a nine point victory.

The Lakers, with Lord Byron “Grumpy” Scott walking the line between allowing his youngsters to flourish and tanking just enough so L.A. doesn’t have to forfeit it’s upcoming lottery pick, have played some of their best games lately, including taking down the reigning champs. On Sunday, they set a record by becoming the first team with a sub .200 winning percentage to defeat a team with an over .900 winning percentage, when they dismantled the Golden State Warriors 112-95 in the largest upset in NBA history. Two nights later, D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle scored a combined 74 points in a convincing win over the Orlando Magic, becoming the youngest trio of Lakers to ever score 20+ points each in a game. Given how these young guys have geared up for some of the League’s elite, the Cavs will need to be very careful this second night of yet another back-to-back doesn’t turn into a trap…

For the Cavs, Timofey Mozgov is still questionable with an illness, and Mo Williams is still out with his unspecified knee issue. For the Lakers, Kobe is probable, and Lou Williams is doubtful. It’s another late night start for you East Coasters (10:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. PST). The action is nationally televised on TNT.

Prediction: LeBron hugs Kobe a minimum of three times during the evening, and the Cavs survive a spirited onslaught by the Laker youth brigade to keep rolling on the road, 117-113. No foam hands are thrown in anger…

UPDATE…

Ty Lue says Timofey Mozgov will play but come off the bench. Tristan starting for Timo, Channing Frye starting for Kevin Love

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 11, 2016

ALSO…

Kobe Bryant (shoulder) will play tonight in his final game against LeBron James and #Cavs on TNT.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 11, 2016