Kobe Bryant earns mixed reaction for sitting (Web links)

Game stories

--The Times’ Ben Bolch explains why the Lakers’ 113-96 loss Thursday to the Sacramento Kings in their season finale meant absolutely nothing.

--The Orange County Register’s Kevin Ding mentions how the Lakers rested all of their stars, including Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

--The Sacramento Bees’ Jason Jones notes how the Kings went wild against the Lakers’ reserves.

Notebooks

--The Times’ Bolch also explains why Bryant sat out in the season finale despite having the chance to secure his third scoring title.

--The Daily News’ Elliott Teaford highlights Bryant’s absence as well as the uncertainty on Matt Barnes’ right ankle injury.

Columns

--The Times’ Bill Plaschke praises Bryant for sitting out in the season finale Thursday against Sacramento. Plaschke argues that that shows Bryant truly doesn’t care about individual accomplishments.

--NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper mentions how Metta World Peace’s career has been defined by moments that he does or does not let pass by.

--Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen picks the Lakers to beat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals?! All the other Sports Illustratedwriters correctly believe the Lakers will lose to the Thunder in the second round.

Blogs

--ESPN Los Angeles’ Brian Kamenetzky previews the Lakers-Nuggets matchup.

--Ball Don’t Lie’s Eric Freeman mentions how Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol own a horse together.

--The Denver Post’s Benjamin Hochman mentions how the Nuggets’ defense has improved.

--ESPN Los Angeles’ Dave McMenamin explains why Lakers Coach Mike Brown plans to start Devin Ebanks at small forward in the playoffs.

--ESPN Los Angeles’ Ramona Shelburne argues Bryant should’ve shot lights out.

--Lakers.com’s Mike Trudell provides a running diary of the Lakers-Kings game.

--Silver Screen and Roll’s C.A. Clark wanted Bryant to gun against the Kings.

--Forum Blue and Gold’s Philip Barnett was bored with the Lakers-Kings game.

Tweet of the Day: “A very mature decision by Kobe to choose rest over the scoring title. @LakersNation let’s get ready for the Nuggets on Sunday!” -- MagicJohnson (Lakers legend Magic Johnson)

Rick Friedman Reader Comment of the Day: “Absolutely the best decision. Scoring title is meaningless and he’s been talking all season about how the ring is the thing. He’s backing it up and I hope the benefit to us is a couple of wins and some stellar playoff play. This would be a great time to average 40 ppg.” - Jamie Sweet