Basketball fans have been put in a tough predicament Wednesday night, as the Warriors' pursuit of 73 wins tips off at the same time as Kobe's swan song in the Staples Center. Kobe Bryant was the star of the NBA for years, and for many people our age, the Black Mamba was the face of the league when they began watching the sport. However, Michael Jordan, the association's hero of yesteryear, could see one of his most impressive records broken Wednesday night, as the Golden State Warriors take on the Memphis Grizzlies at home to attempt to be the first team in league history to win 73 games in a season.
Kobe ruled the NBA for years. After being taken 13th in the 1996 NBA Draft, Kobe arguably proved to be the best player in the class, going on to win five NBA Finals and being named to 18 All-Star Games. His 81-point game in 2006 ranks second in NBA history, and his will to win and work ethic were second to none. Kobe deserves our respect, but his Lakers do not deserve our viewership, at least not over Golden State's attempt at history.
The Lakers are having the worst season in franchise history, claiming a record of 16-65 heading into the season-ending matchup with the Utah Jazz, who will come to LA with a record of 40-41. The Jazz will be competing for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, or more practically, the right to lose to the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. The game will likely feature Kobe taking an absurd amount of shots, and whether or not they go in, the Jazz will likely pull out the win, as they are the better team, and they desperately need the win to make the postseason.
The Warriors however, just eked out a win over Memphis on Saturday, coming back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, and most fans believe the team is the most exciting show in the league this season. Seeing a team win 73 games in a season is something basketball fans can tell their kids that they were fortunate enough to watch, while the second-worst team in the NBA taking on a fringe playoff contender isn't exactly must-see TV. You can respect the greatness of one of the best players of our era during the commercials of the Golden State game, but don't miss out on a team doing something you may never see again in your lifetime.