Lakers final grades: shooting guard Kobe Bryant

Today’s report card …

Kobe Bryant continued to fight the good fight against his advancing age and a group of younger players eager to knock him from his lofty perch as one of the game’s greats. He finished second in the scoring race at the age of 33. He regained some of his explosiveness after undergoing a knee procedure last summer in Germany. He couldn’t get the Lakers past the second round of the playoffs for the second seasons in a row, however. He hasn’t spoken publicly since their ouster by the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games, declining an exit interview in favor of a private lunch with Mitch Kupchak instead.

Grade: A