Monday night’s blowout in Oklahoma City simply confirmed what we all already knew: The Lakers are going to have their hands full with the Thunder. The Thunder are the most talented team in the West. L.A. has experience, but Oklahoma City is probably too athletic for the Lakers to keep up over the course of a seven-game series.

Kobe Bryant knows that. But is he ready to pack it in after one bad loss? Of course not. After Game 1, a reporter asked Kobe if the Lakers are capable of guarding the Thunder. In case you couldn’t tell by the expressions on his face, Kobe was being completely sarcastic when he answered “No” and walked away from the podium.

While he has a tendency to be short with the media and act like a jerk after losses, I can’t say I blame Kobe for this one. There are more effective ways to ask that same question. Instead of talking about match-up problems and athleticism, the reporter basically asked Kobe if he thinks the Lakers stand a chance in the series. I would have got up and walked away too.

H/T Ball Don’t Lie

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pair of Celtics score 25 points in series-clinching win over Heat
Oilers stars take over in second period to eliminate Kings
Dolphins owner turns down multibillion-dollar offer for control of team
MLB hands out multiple suspensions for Rays-Brewers brawl
Deion Sanders enters social media fray after criticism from former player
Cubs' Shota Imanaga joins impressive club after another incredible outing
Report: Hurricanes pull extension offer for HC Rod Brind'Amour
Knicks legend rips 76ers' Joel Embiid for 'crying too much'
Falcons' Jessie Bates addresses the team's QB conundrum
Mavericks use big third quarter to pull away from Clippers in Game 5
Stars finally win at home, take series lead over Golden Knights
Watch: Stars, Golden Knights trade goals in first period of Game 5
Watch: Heat can't figure out how to stop Celtics star
Analyst highlights concerns about Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy
Bucks release concerning injury report as Game 6 looms
Five-time NBA All-Star reveals thoughts on retirement amid rumors
Bears GM discusses if he considered trading Caleb Williams pick
Insider predicts when Giants QB Daniel Jones could lose starting job
Brittney Griner opens up on arrest, imprisonment in Russia
Saints to sign veteran DB

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.