Oh Gordy! EG’s Career Night, Undermanned Rockets, Stun Jazz, 126-117
Splash Lake City. EG’s “Mamba Mentality.” Fitting Tributes.
As the Kobe tributes continue to pour in worldwide, Eric Gordon channeled his inner “Mamba Mentality,” on Monday night. Splash Gordon scored a career-high 50 points, leading the hobbled Rockets over the Jazz, 126-117, for Houston’s best win of the season. Outside of the Rocket’s locker room, no one expected them to win this game in hostile Salt Lake City. No James Harden. No Russell Westbrook. No Çlint Capela. Minus their top three players on the road against the NBA’s hottest team, Utah. The Jazz had won 19 of their last 21 games coming into Monday night. But the Rockets pulled it off, as EG did his best Kobe impersonation, having the game of his life… when Houston needed it most. Something the Mamba would have done when the Lakers needed him the most. Houston played small-ball, and held Utah’s best player, the NBA’s top defensive monster.. Rudy Gobert, in check. Austin Rivers and Danuel House both had their best games of the season, scoring 21 points apiece. House, who played power-forward with P.J. Tucker starting at center, had a career high 11 boards, and the entire squad rebounded and defended at a high level. Thabo Sefolosha had his best game as a Rocket. Michael Frazier saw the most court-time he’s seen with Houston, but Isaiah Hartenstein only played six minutes. If D’Antoni has beef with Harty, it’s unclear as to why. The Rockets won this game hardly using Hartenstein. In the future, if they ever play Utah without Harden, Russ, and Capela, they don’t win with Harty seeing only six minutes of action. Maybe Coach Mike D’Antoni sees something I don’t. But Monday night’s tilt, like all games since Sunday’s shock, wasn’t normal. It’s hard to play basketball right now. If you played the game on any level, you can’t help but think of Kobe. And it’s not just basketball. It’s becoming evident he affected more than the sports world, and far beyond this country. On Sunday, for the first time in my life, time did seem to stop.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a basketball fan. Kobe was grander than a basketball star. A person who seemed to define the term “larger than life.” It still doesn’t feel right. This unthinkable tragedy is unlike any other in the history of sports I can recall. It still hasn’t sunk in, and I didn’t even know the guy. I can’t even fathom how family, players, and those who knew him are feeling right now. Give the Jazz an excuse if you want. Every NBA team had players who knew Kobe. And this was Utah’s first game after Sunday’s devastation hit. And like every team and beyond, the news impacted their behavior, and the Jazz certainly didn’t play their best brand of basketball. Both teams started their possessions with a 24-second shot-clock violation. As has become customs since the tragedy, NBA teams have started contests with either a 8-second half court violation, or 24-second shot-clock violation, honoring the two numbers Kobe wore, 8 and 24. No team has looked right for a few days. This one hurts on an entirely different level I truly couldn’t imagine, and still can’t fully comprehend or understand.
Kobe’s impact was immeasurable, and he’ll truly never be forgotten. The NBA postponed Tuesday night’s game between the Lakers and Clippers. Los Angeles, especially the Lakers, understandably aren’t ready to get back on the court. TNT aired an emotional tribute featuring some of his closest friends, and fellow NBA legends on Tuesday night. I highly recommend finding a stream if you didn’t get the chance to watch. It’s must-see TV. It’s strange how life works. Kobe might be gone, but he’s still hear if you’re watching closely. He’s everywhere.
The global love for Kobe is impressive, to say the least. In the Philippines, a basketball court was painted with Kobe and Gigi. In Europe, the soccer sensation Neymar, put up the numbers “2” and “4” after scoring a goal in his latest match, in honor of Kobe. Bryant was honored in Canada, before a hockey game. The list goes on. New York’s Empire State Building was lit up with the Lakers’ colors, purple and gold, as has been the case with many buildings in cities worldwide.
And the love, can’t be seen any more, than in the NBA itself. The league Kobe represented. The sport he was the face and inspiration of to millions around the globe. Guys across the league, whether donning Kobe’s #8 or #24 in starting lineups, or by their performances, have honored Bryant in a manner he would be applaud. Players are adopting the “Mamba Mentality”, and playing in Kobe’s honor. I don’t know if these numbers are coincidences, but you can’t make these numbers up… the Mamba’s spirit is everywhere. Since the tragedy, a player has scored 50 points or more all three days: Damian Lillard’s 50 on Sunday, Eric Gordon’s 50 on Monday, and Kris Middleton scored 51 on Tuesday. The Sixers’ Joel Embiid, playing in Philly, where Kobe was a high-school phenom, wore #24 in Kobe’s honor, and finishing with 24 points, scoring his 24th point on a patented Kobe-esque fadeaway, while yelling “Kobe.” Phoenix’s Devin Booker became the youngest player to surpass 7,000 points in NBA history, passing, who else… Kobe, who accomplished the feat back in 2002. The Raptors won their 8th straight game, and Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibake, two of their top players, finished with 24 points. Buddy Hield, #24 for the Sacramento Kings, idolized Kobe Bryant growing up. Hield led a 27-point comeback for the Kings over the Timberwolves. Buddy finished with 42 points on 24 field goal attempts. He also had 5 rebounds and 3 assists (5+3=8). Hield also scored 20 or more points in the fourth quarter on perfect shooting, the first player to do so since, you guessed it… Kobe Bryant. Heck, if Gordon doesn’t get fouled at the end of the game in Utah with only seconds remaining, he finishes with 48 points minus those two free throws… 24 in each half. Whether you’re superstitious or not, you’ve got to admit, these signs are more than a coincidence.
Houston won in Utah with heart and grit without their top three players. And they also reminded everyone that Eric Gordon isn’t to be taken lightly. EG was finding his groove before his monumental night on Monday. If Gordon continues to play up to his potential, Houston showed in Utah why they’re still title contenders. And the usual haters will say the Rockets lost because no games have been normal since Sunday. But beating anyone without the Beard, Brodie, and Capela is impressive. Houston will try and carry that Mamba Mentality with them to Portland, as they finish up this weary road-trip against the Blazers. We’ll never forget Kobe. His impact will last longer than any of us. And if you’re an NBA team with Houston on your upcoming schedule… don’t forget about Eric Gordon.