Kobe Bryant Says He Would Have Smacked Serge Ibaka in the Mouth for Groin Chop

With the Los Angeles Lakers set to face off with the OKC Thunder tomorrow night, Kobe Bryant was asked about Serge Ibaka’s vicious chop to Blake Griffin‘s groin area on Sunday. Ibaka claims that he wasn’t trying to hurt the LA Clippers star forward. Kobe claims that he would’ve retaliated immediately and dealt with the searing pain later, which sounds impossible. Per the LA Daily News: “I probably would have smacked him in the mouth,’ Bryant said after practice Monday at the Lakers’ facility in El Segundo. Griffin didn’t get the chance to do that. He understandably slumped to the ground. ‘I would’ve dealt with the pain afterwards,’ Bryant said. It remains to be seen what the NBA will do. Ibaka’s foul surprisingly didn’t result in an ejection, which a play that coincided with the Clippers taking a 100-99 lead with 1:30 left after scoring seven unanswered points. But to the Clippers’ frustration, Ibaka then scored on a three-point play. The Thunder afterwards insisted Ibaka meant no ill intent. But replays clearly show Ibaka deliberately fouled Griffin in the groin area. The NBA is currently reviewing the play, which may result in Ibaka’s suspension when the Lakers (30-30) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (43-16) at Chesapeake Energy Arena.”