Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was visibly shaken, angry, and confused at center court of the Staples Center Tuesday night when the basketball that he held so close for most of the game was suddenly and inexplicably passed away. 'It feels like I was just holding it in my hands a second ago, and now it's gone,' said a tearful Bryant, who admitted he 'just wasn't ready to let go.' 'I wish I could say it's in a better place now, but honestly, I'm not sure I can make myself believe that.' Bryant later promised that, should he ever get close to another ball, he would make sure that something like this would never happen again. 