Jordan Clarkson on Kobe’s 60-point finale: ‘Almost like a movie’

Naveen Ganglani

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Jordan Clarkson on Kobe’s 60-point finale: ‘Almost like a movie’
'It was like, you really didn’t want to shoot the ball, you kinda just give him the ball,' says Clarkson

MANILA, Philippines – The Los Angeles Lakers had their worst NBA season in franchise history by finishing with a 17-65 record in 2016, which also happened to be the 20th and final season in the illustrious career of Kobe Bryant.

But despite the trials and tribulations, Los Angeles’ campaign had a fairytale ending when Bryant, the 5-time champion, scored 60 points in his final game and led the Lakers to a win over the Jazz on the last day of the league schedule.

Fil-Am NBA guard Jordan Clarkson played in the match and even scored the final basket: a game-sealing slam dunk, courtesy of an assist from Bryant.

“It was crazy. It was almost like a movie,” Clarkson said on Saturday, May 28, about the win against Utah. “It was like, you really didn’t want to shoot the ball, you kinda just give him the ball, keep feeding him the whole time. It was a great experience.”

Bryant, who at times in his career has been criticzed for not passing the ball enough, understandably attempted 50 shots, making 22, plus 10-of-12 from the foul stripe. Clarkson finished with 12 points and 7 boards.

(READ: In his dramatic finale, Kobe Bryant again proves he’s more hero than villain)

“That’s always going to be with me the rest of my life and I’m just happy I got the share the court with him his last season and in the last game. So it was just a great experience,” he said.

After the final buzzer sounded and before Bryant gave his farewell speech, he was seen hugging Clarkson, Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell – the trio expected to lead Los Angeles back to title contention moving forward.

“He just kinda embraced us and hugged us… it was a big moment,” Clarkson said, adding that he has plans of making the emotional scene into something he can see every day. “That was crazy. I’ll probably take that picture and hang it up on my wall.”

Clarkson did admit, however, that it was a difficult season because of the constant losing. 

“Definitely it was a tough year for us cause nobody likes losing. Definitely it was Kobe’s last year. We was going out there, competing, but at the end of the day we were trying to look at the big picture, the future and stuff,” said the 23-year-old, who’s a restricted free agent this offseason but wants to stay in LA during its rebuilding effort.

“So we kept going in there, working and we just tried to keep hitting the nail in the head and just work for next year to be honest with you.”

Clarkson also said that “The Lakers organization is all family, so those guys really embrace us. From all the way to the top – Mr. Buss, Jeanie [Buss], and all of them. [Even] Mitch [Kupchak]. It’s a big family.” – Rappler.com

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