<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOS ANGELES, Nov. 24 (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant woke up just in time for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant struggled through a dismal first half before scoring 29 of his 34 points after the break as the Lakers rolled to a 108-96 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics. NBA TV highlights from Sonics-Lakers: Play After taking at least 34 shots in each of his last three games, Bryant was a bit more selective after a cold start in this one. He was 2-of-7 from the floor in the opening two quarters and did not score in the second half until a 3-pointer midway through the third, which gave Los Angeles a 58-57 lead. Bryant, who finished 12-of-26, had a jumper with 3:10 left to push the lead to 68-64, converted a three-point play with 92 seconds to go and finished the quarter with a pair of 3-pointers, including a 27-footer just before the buzzer. The 27-year-old superstar was just 2-of-16 from 3-point range entering the contest, but made 4-of-5 from the arc against the SuperSonics. "It was just a matter of reading what the defense would give," Bryant said of his 3-point shooting. "I felt like I was in rhythm and it gave us a good energy boost. Everyone just fed off the energy and we went from there." He scored the Lakers' first six points of the fourth and made his final 3-pointer midway through the session to give Los Angeles a 93-78 lead. "We knew he was going to come out firing in the second half," Seattle coach Bob Weiss said. "There is nothing you can do about Kobe when he is like that. He's shooting fadeaway threes and making them. I can't fault us there." Lamar Odom scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and Brian Cook finished with 17 and seven in his first start of the season for the Lakers, who had lost five of their previous six. Seattle, which has dropped two straight following a three-game winning streak, got 32 points from Rashard Lewis but little support from leading scorer Ray Allen. The 6-5 guard was held scoreless across the second and third quarters and finished with 19 points on 6-of-15 shooting. Bryant was matched with Allen through much of the contest and took satisfaction in shutting down the sharpshooter. "Defense is more fun," Bryant said. "It is more challenging. Scoring the ball is pretty much like breathing, but defense is what I take a lot of pride in." "In addition to Kobe being a great offensive player, he is one of the best (defensive) guards in the league," Weiss said. "He wasn't paying attention to anybody but Ray." The Sonics took a 51-43 lead at halftime on the strength of a 32-19 advantage in the second quarter. Lewis had 17 points at the break. Bryant's first 3-pointer gave Los Angeles the lead for the first time in the second half and Smush Parker, who had 16 points and a career-high eight rebounds, followed with an emphatic dunk over Seattle center Vitaly Potapenko for a 60-57 lead. All five Lakers' starters finished in double figures. "It is the first time I've seen five players in double figures all season," Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson said. "And once Kobe got hot, we really focused on riding that energy we had." </div> Source Box score The Lakers won without much help from the bench, but all starters were in double figures. It also looks like Odom is doing what he said he would do.
I'm really impressed by Brian Cook. He finished off with 17/7 shooting 7-11. Odom shot 10 free throws, which is quite good and Smush also had a great game. A decent all around performance. Of course Kobe done what he does best.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Defense is more fun," Bryant said. "It is more challenging. Scoring the ball is pretty much like breathing, but defense is what I take a lot of pride in." </div> Whoa .. this kid is good!
It didn't seem like it, but Odom had an impressive score of 23/12/6 assists. Everyone really showed up after the half, except for the bench. THey had about 4-5 points between them. This performance from Odom is the exact thing we need night after night. Hey what happend to Luke Walton, I thought he supposed to return last night.
Lamar said he was going to attack the rim more, and he did exactly that, good for him. Despite Mihm's foul troubles, he had a very good game, bailing the Lakers out a lot last night. The only player we have to worry about is Kwame Brown, he NEEDS to step up. He's stronger and more athletic than, say, Jermaine O'Neal, but yet Jermaine is better? COME ON! Yeah, where is Luke Walton? And is Von Wafer in the NBDL? I have never seen him play this season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting lakerman34:</div><div class="quote_post">Lamar said he was going to attack the rim more, and he did exactly that, good for him. Despite Mihm's foul troubles, he had a very good game, bailing the Lakers out a lot last night. The only player we have to worry about is Kwame Brown, he NEEDS to step up. He's stronger and more athletic than, say, Jermaine O'Neal, but yet Jermaine is better? COME ON! Yeah, where is Luke Walton? And is Von Wafer in the NBDL? I have never seen him play this season.</div> Von Wafer played for the last minute of the game last night lol.
