Flustered Bryant Is Failing to Finish - New York Times

OKLAHOMA CITY â€" Kobe Bryant spun away in disgust and angrily pulled on his jersey, the famed purple and gold No. 24 that has symbolized a career of clutch shooting and one the Lakers will someday retire to hang in the rafters.

Bryant, though, was not lamenting his failure to deliver the game-winner Wednesday night against the Thunder. Unable to break free on a play that called for him to be the first option, Bryant never got the ball and could only watch as Metta World Peace threw an inbounds pass to Steve Blake, whose 3-point attempt from the right corner clanked off the rim.

Bryant’s lofty reputation as a stone-cold gunslinger under pressure was questioned in the process, lumped with LeBron James as a statistically scrutinized and scoured superstar, amid the rubble of the Lakers’ meltdown that led to Oklahoma City’s 77-75 victory.

The Thunder lead the Western Conference semifinals, two games to none, having blown out the Lakers by 29 points in Game 1 and broken their spirit with a 9-0 finishing rally in Game 2. The series shifts to Los Angeles for back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, a further test of endurance for the aging and weary Lakers against the younger Thunder.

“They got themselves a gritty win,” Bryant said. “Now it’s up to us to go back home and defend our court.”

Bryant left the floor shaking his head and smirking amid a celebration of streamers at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Indeed, his absence at crucial junctures was equally puzzling and frustrating as the Thunder chipped away at his aura with spectacular efficiency.

With the Lakers leading by 75-68 with 2 minutes 8 seconds to play, the scene was set for them to steal a road playoff game and Bryant to stamp his signature on the victory. Instead, he ignited the flameout in a horrendous scoreless sequence by the Lakers to end the game.

Bryant seriously misjudged an inbounds pass that Kevin Durant picked off and took down for a dunk. Less than a minute later, Bryant somehow had his shot blocked by the 6-foot-5 guard James Harden, who converted the play into a fast-break layup. Then, with Russell Westbrook furiously contesting a pass to Bryant, the ball was deflected out of bounds and possession was awarded to the Lakers, only to be reversed and given to the Thunder after a review by officials.

Bryant also missed a jump shot and 3-point try during the Thunder’s run. After hitting his first two shots in the fourth quarter, he missed his last five attempts. And, of course, he was a spectator as Blake fired the potential game-winner.

“It was a good look; we were lucky he missed that shot,” Oklahoma City Coach Scott Brooks said. He added: “We got some breaks. But we earned those breaks by playing good defense.”

Brooks made a key move by switching the 6-9 Durant to guard Bryant for the final four minutes, which seemed to raise the Thunder’s intensity. “I just tried to use my length a little bit and play hard,” Durant said. “He makes those tough shots, and he missed some tonight. But he is so good in the fourth quarter that no matter who is guarding him, he is going to try and take a shot. It’s all about playing hard.”

Bryant, though, disputed the idea that Durant was responsible for his miscues.

“Those last few minutes, they just made gambles,” Bryant said. “They jumped into the passing lane; that’s not something we’re accustomed to seeing. It was just flat-out risk defensively, jumping in the passing lane to get the ball. Durant did it and got a steal. Westbrook did it and caused a turnover. It was unconventional, but we’ll make our adjustments for Game 3.”