CLEVELAND – If you are from Cleveland, let alone a Cavs fan, you probably have heard that L.A. Lakers mega-star Kobe Bryant’s retirement tour will continue tonight with a very special stop.
Kobe will be playing his final basketball game in Cleveland, against arch-rival turned friend LeBron James, when the Cavs and Lakers tip off at 8pm.
There will surely be a tribute and a trip down memory lane at the Q tonight and I will do the same here, highlighting Kobe’s career against the Cavs.
There have been many memorable moments over the years, especially between 2008-2010 when Kobe and LeBron were the clear-cut faces of the NBA.
Kobe’s move to Nike made things even more interesting with the possibly over-played puppet skits.
The only down side to those years was the fact that, despite the ridiculous build up, the two teams never met in the Finals like many had hoped.
That doesn’t take away from the great games when they did face off, however.
Overall, Kobe has complied a 10-13 record against the Cavs since Lebron came into the league in the 2003-2004 season.
In head-to-head match ups between Kobe and LeBron, the King holds the advantage with a 14-6 overall record.
LeBron carries an average of 28.4 ppg in those contests while Kobe has averaged just 25.0 ppg.
You know you’re pretty darn good when a 25 ppg average over 20 games seems low.
One of Kobe’s biggest wins against LeBron and the Cavs came in the 2008-2009 season when the Lakers handed Cleveland its first home loss of the season after they starting 23-0.
The Cavs returned the favor the following year by beating the Lakers in both match ups despite Kobe averaging 33.0 ppg against Cleveland.
In the 2005-2006 season both games between the Cavs and Lakers were instant classics that went down to the wire.
The first game took place in L.A. and it was a classic Kobe finish.
With the game tied at 93 with 1:30 remaining, Bryant knocked down three straight long jumpers to help his team hold on for a 99-98 victory.
LeBron and the Cavs returned the favor a few months later at the Q.
James knocked down a late 3-pointer that gave the Cavs the lead for good as they held on for a 96-95 victory despite 38 points from Kobe.
The four years LeBron was in Miami Kobe and the Lakers complied a 4-3 record against Cleveland, including 42 point games in both 2012 and 2013.
In 2011 Kobe fueled the Lakers in handing the Cavs their worst home loss of all time when L.A. absolutely demolished Cleveland, 112-57.
The Cavs won both games with relative ease against the Lakers last season but, as always, Kobe still made his presence felt in the one game he played in.
Now, after so many exciting late season showdowns at the Q, Kobe will be making his final trip to the Land.
Whether you like or dislike him, everyone should appreciate the last chance to see a legend on their home floor.
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