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Sam Mitchell had to watch Kobe Bryant kill his team again. Before the 37-year-old Bryant's 38-point performance on Tuesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves coach wasn't exactly in the mood to praise him. Afterward, Mitchell didn't have much of a choice, though he didn't exactly compliment him conventionally.

"They've got a guy in that locker room who is arguably one of the top five, six, seven players ever," Mitchell told reporters, via Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver. "He's not going to let them guys quit.

"Kobe just started making shots. He just made some tough shots. I hate him. If I don't ever see him again, it will be too soon. I hate him."

That last part was relayed to the man who once scored 81 points against Mitchell when he was coaching the Toronto Raptors. Bryant laughed.

"Well, thank you for the hate, I appreciate that," Bryant told reporters, via ESPN's Baxter Holmes. "Truly, I love that."

After the Los Angeles Lakers' 119-115 win, the two of them chatted in the hallway at Staples Center. 

I wonder if the number 81 came up in the conversation. It's common knowledge that Mitchell hates talking about it. It would be perfect if Bryant got one last shot in.

Kobe Bryant will haunt Sam Mitchell forever. (USATSI)
Kobe Bryant will haunt Sam Mitchell forever. (USATSI)