The argument goes that Kobe Bryant's
absence indirectly spurs everyone on
the Lakers team to elevate their play.
It seems that the Lakers pass the ball
more. Every player finds more shooting
opportunities. That energy translates
into a sharper defense. Sounds good
in theory but it did not happen that way
during the game against the Portland
Trailblazers. Our loss was very noticed.
Final score being: 106-94.
Nick Young scored 6 points in the 4th
quarter to the score of 75-all with 9.5
remaining. The Blazer's answered with
a 17-3 run to take a 14 point lead.
Granted, the Trail Blazers (30-8) have
the second best record in the Western
Conference. Our Kobe did not play
for the 6th time this season. It would
seem that in their latest effort, the
Lakers failed to over-achieve
without their star to help them along
the way. Byron Scott says that
there is not right now any shut-
down regarding Kobe planned.
Bryant, with his string of ailments,
is staying on the 32 minute plan.
This seems to be amenable to him.
So far, he is sticking with the program.
He has not been nudging the coach
for any additional time.
Game against Cleveland with LeBron
James back on that team again, did
not fare as good as was expected.
It only comes in flashes now, the
stardom that once lit up an entire
NBA generation. But when someone
like LeBron James is in the house,
the flashes are enough to illuminate
an entire midwinter night. Kobe flashed
back all the way to the beginning Thursday
night, distributing a career-high 17 assists
in his new role as coach Byron Scott's
Lakers point guard. He and James went
at each other in the final 90 seconds,
when Bryant hit a 3 pointer and then
just missed on another, settling for 2
free throws to pull Lakers within
103-99 with 43 seconds left to play.
We lost, but barely...score: 109-102.
We note that former NBA Roy Tarpley
has died at age 50. His basketball
career was cut short because of drug
abuse. He died last Friday. He had played
with the Dallas Mavericks. His death was
mentioned as having happened at Arlington
Memorial Hospital. He'd played in the '80's
and in the early 90's. He had been a star Center.
We are always saddened when these
kinds of things are brought to our attention.
R.I.P. Roy.
BABS WELLS
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