|
|
Article: Tired Bryant Rises to Challenge
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- May 25, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
Kobe Bryant flared his nostrils, arched his eyebrows and gritted
his teeth moments after hitting a difficult, contested three-
pointer over Denver Nuggets reserve J.R. Smith with 69 seconds
remaining in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday
night. The menacing look wasn't necessarily intended to intimidate
his opponent, silence a crowd that jeered him, or send a message to
anyone who doubted who was the NBA's best closer -- especially
after a certain superstar in Cleveland had made a dramatic game-
winner against Orlando about 24 hours before.
Bryant simply was exhausted.
"You're hitting a shot that probably shouldn't have gone in; your
legs are tired; now you got to go ...