After handing the Golden State Warriors their first loss of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks played uninspired and lethargic in their next game, losing by 18 points to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
So what caused such a drastic dropoff? Well for one, the Lakers got an impressive performance from Kobe Bryant.
Scoring 22 points (FG: 7-15, 3PT: 3-7) and dishing out six assists, Bryant had a somewhat throwback performance in leading the Lakers past the Bucks.
After the game, Bucks head coach Jason Kidd told reporters that Bryant embarrassed his team.
"Kobe is Kobe. He is one of the best to ever play this game. Given the opportunity, he can embarrass you,'' Kidd said. ''And he did that tonight.''
For the majority of the season, Bryant has shot poorly but the Lakers star has had several strong games. He clearly still has some talent and game left in his 37-year-old legs. Still, while Bryant did have a solid, effective game against Milwaukee, Kidd may be laying it on thick by saying the Lakers star embarrassed the Bucks.
Milwaukee was playing without Greg Monroe and the Lakers did get another impressive performance from rookie D'Angelo Russell, who finished the game with 19 points, seven assists and four rebounds. The Bucks are also a poor defensive team, giving up 105.2 per 100 possessions which is fifth worst in the NBA. Milwaukee allowed the Lakers, who have the third worst offense in the NBA, to score 113 points on Tuesday night.
Bryant did have a great game against the Bucks but Kidd should be more embarrassed with his team's own effort following its best win if the season.
