The Black Mamba gets Defanged!!!

A determined Kobe Bryantvowed early Tuesday that the window has not closed on his chances to win another championship with the Lakers, saying in the aftermath of a second consecutive second-round elimination that “Come hell or high water, we’re going to be there again.”

“It’s kind of unfamiliar territory,” Bryant said after midnight and after the Thunder beat the Lakers 106-90 on Monday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena and 4-1 in the series. “I’m really not used to it. It’s pretty odd for me. I’m not the most patient of people and the organization’s not extremely patient either. We want to win and win now. I’m sure we’ll figure it out. We always have and I’m sure we will again.”

Pressed about being a veteran team that had just been knocked out of the playoffs by the youthful Thunder, Bryant said: “I’m not fading into the shadows, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m not going anywhere.”

“The entire team…” a reporter began the follow-up question.