Not even Bryant's methodical, prolonged warm-up could help the 37-year-old break out of a season-long slump.
"Man, it's cold in here," he said to no one in particular three hours before tipoff, making his way around the court and shooting from seemingly every angle.
He missed his first five shots in the game, including two air-balled three-point attempts at Oracle Arena. Cold, indeed.
Then he missed his next eight shots after making a three-pointer.
He did not play in the fourth quarter. The Lakers trailed by 34 after three.
Bryant said his off night had to do with the team's overall play — blown defensive coverages, unnamed players not running the offense, etc. Byron Scott gives an edge to his '80s Lakers over current Warriors Byron Scott gives an edge to his '80s Lakers over current Warriors
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I'm just kind of frustrated with what we were doing," Bryant said. "It bothered me so I got out of my Zen tonight."...
A couple of days before the game, Bryant left open the possibility of an upset against Golden State.