Tuesday Bolts: 01.28.20

While the team doesn’t disclose why a player is out when it’s listed as “personal”, Royce Young (ESPN) confirms that Chris Paul took yesterday off mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant.

The Thunder missed Paul, losing to the Mavericks 107-97.

Erik Horne (The Athletic) on how OKC did their best to honor the legend: “One of the things these two teams need to do and most of the teams need to do is compete, play basketball, and glorify our memories of Kobe by playing our hardest and doing everything possible to play our best, and push ourselves to higher levels,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. The Mavericks and Thunder tried their mightiest to push to those levels on Monday. It’s a lot harder for the Thunder to push without Paul, their key player who lost a key figure in his life.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s pregame Mamba tribute:

Shanna McCarriston (CBS Sports) on the fan-made petition to make Kobe the new NBA logo, which has garnered over 1.5 million signatures and the support of several players.

Some more throwback Kobe Thunder memories:

• He championed what was special about Russell Westbrook when the Brodie was heavily criticized.
• There was even speculation that Bryant’s support was a calculated move to deepen any fissures between Russ and Kevin Durant, because of course.
• He played his last career playoff game against OKC, putting up 42 points while the Thunder closed out the Lakers on their way to the 2012 Finals.

If you want to add any of your favorite Kobe moments to the record, we’re taking voicemail submissions for this week’s podcast:

Kendrick Perkins is sorry for beefing with Kevin Durant.

Want a DT watch party? Let us know. We might not hold out for the playoffs or draft if there’s enough interest.

Also, let us know if you have a blog, Youtube channel, Etsy store, etc. that you would like others to know about. No reason.