Kobe should get mixed reception in Boston finale

As much as Bryant is going to be cheered — in continuation of a trend that has developed in recent years here — he is also going to be able to hear the Boston accent coming through.

For the first half of Bryant’s career as a Laker, his team’s rivalry with Boston bore little relevance.

Everything changed in 2007-08, when the Celtics traded for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett months before the Lakers paired Bryant with his new co-star Pau Gasol.

The Lakers, who had been favored to win the ensuing 2008 NBA Finals, were blown out by 39 points in a decisive Game 6 loss in Boston.

He earned his revenge two years later in an NBA Finals Game 7 comeback win over the Celtics in Los Angeles, which he celebrated in spite of shooting 6-for-24 from the floor.

Bryant compensated with 15 rebounds and 11 free throws as he won his fifth NBA championship that night, moving him ahead of O’Neal’s four and into a franchise tie with Magic.

The idea that the Lakers may be better off by losing games is as foreign to Bryant as the likelihood of him hearing cheers on his final exit from Boston.