Lives Cut Short: Kobe Bryant, Basketball Superstar

Lives Cut Short: Kobe Bryant, Basketball Superstar — page 3
Lives Cut Short Losing this one would mean leaving their shot at the championship on the floor in Salt Lake City Utah Several of Bryant’s more experienced teammates had been taken out of the game in one way or another Veteran shooting guard Byron Scott missed the game with a sprained right wrist Forward Robert Horry was ejected during the third quarter after a scuffle with Utah’s Jeff Hornacek And star Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal had just fouled out with less than two minutes left in the game The Lakers were counting on 18-year-old Bryant He was their last hope to win the game and keep the series alive So far the game had been close This was despite the best efforts of Jazz stars Karl Malone and John Stockton who together racked up 56 points by the time of the final buzzer With the score tied 89 89 the game headed into overtime Bryant scrambled to take every 8 Working and Waiting for His Turn Most NBA rookies spend lots of time sitting on the bench Although Bryant showed great potential he too had to wait for his chance at floor time More often than not Lakers coach Del Harris chose established guards Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel over Bryant When Bryant did make it into a game he often had only a few minutes to prove his value to the team At the time Bryant hated being a benchwarmer But he later said it inspired him to work as hard as he could during practices so he could get more opportunities to get in the game