Kobe Bryant put on a classic performance in last night's loss to the Thunder, scoring 42 points on 54 percent shooting and grabbing 5 rebounds.
But there was one other stat that had the Kobe haters (and an NBA benchwarmer) out in full force: zero assists.
Here's what Dallas Mavericks reserve big man Brian Cardinal tweeted in the waning moments of the game:
Our reaction is twofold:
1. That's a great burn.
2. Take it easy, Brian Cardinal.
This is a guy who averaged one point and a shade over six minutes per game this season. That shouldn't give him license to troll one of the best players on the planet as he's going off for 40+.
But maybe this is a sign of just how far Kobe's star has fallen within the league. Where he once was a feared villain capable of crushing a team's will with a series of sneers, he's now a punchless guard with an old man's game.
Or, more likely, Brian Cardinal is just crazy/hilarious/emboldened by his status as an NBA cult figure.
Here's who we're dealing with:
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