Kobe Bryant after loss to Sixers: ‘We're old as @'

Share

For the first time in their NBA careers, Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner combined to beat the Lakers in a 103-99 Sixers win at Staples Center Tuesday night (see story).

The Lakers have had their share of struggles this season, attempting to mesh newcomers Dwight Howard and Steve Nash with a core led by Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace.

The problem with that group, and the reason they lost to the Sixers? Kobe has an explanation:

Cause were old as s---, the 34-year-old Bryant told ESPNLA, when asked to explain his team's lack of energy on Tuesday night. What do you want? We just got to figure out how to play when we dont have that energy. We got to change things up a little bit defensively. We got to figure out what we want to do offensively, figure out what we want to do on nights when we dont have those legs or have that energy.

"You just saw an old damn team," he continued. "I don't know how else to put it to you. We're just slow. You saw a team over there that was just younger and just had fresher legs and just played with more energy, and we were just stuck in the mud. I think individually we all have to figure out how to get ourselves ready each and every game to have a high level of energy. That's all that is."

Kobe did his part Tuesday, scoring 36 points on 29 shots.

Considering his colorful verbiage is far uncommon, Kobe's just about as entertaining off the court as he is on it.

That said, the Lakers (15-16) have not had a record above .500 since Nov. 20, when they improved to 6-5. They lost to the 11-20 Sacramento Kings, who were then just 3-8, the next night.

E-mail Nick Menta at nmenta@comcastsportsnet.com

Contact Us