The two days the Lakers had off left them well-rested.
The two days of practice forced upon them by Coach Phil Jackson had them sharp.
As for Sunday night's game, it became a show in more ways than one, the highlights starting with the Lakers' running up a 28-point lead en route a 101-85 thrashing of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center .
The 26 points, seven assists and six rebounds Kobe Bryant produced were just part of his show.
The 25 points (on nine-for-11 shooting), nine rebounds and two blocked shots by Andrew Bynum were entertaining, especially since he showed no signs of the right ankle injury that had kept him out of two days of practice.
The 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists by Pau Gasol were a nice stat line.
Shannon Brown, as has become customary for him, was part of the show.
"I thought it was some inspiring basketball, actions, tonight," Jackson said. "There were some things that we felt we did really well defensively and kept this young team off-balanced that's very athletic and kind of entertaining in its own way to watch."
Ah, yes, the entertainment.
With 8:58 left in the fourth quarter, during a timeout, Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas grabbed a microphone and began singing "I Gotta Feeling," along with his group mate Fergie, who called rapper B-Real out of his seat to be alongside them and Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
During the song, Will.i.am belted out, "Kobe Bryant, MVP."
Later in the fourth, Jay-Z walked by and signaled to Bryant, who signaled back.
"I had my back turned to that, but being on top of all the music groups in the country, I knew who it was right away," Jackson said, laughing.
The American Music Awards show was across the street at the Nokia Theatre, which explained why the entertainers were here.
"It was cool," Bryant said about the impromptu concert.
Bryant delivered two plays late in the first quarter that left the fans thrilled.
Bryant's first spectacular shot came when he drove the baseline but was cut off by James Harden and had no place to go.
Trapped, Bryant, looking like he was playing a game of "H-O-R-S-E," lofted a shot from behind the backboard that arched over the glass and settled into the net.
"It was pretty crazy tonight," Bryant said. "Pretty crazy. We had our rabbit foot on."
With time running out in the first quarter, the basketball shot out from a pack of players under the basket. Bryant ran it down and threw up a quick, left-handed 15-foot shot that banked in as time expired.
Other Lakers Timberwolves News
Future Sports Star:
Kevin Love
Kevin Love has shown a skill level that is absolutely unheard of amongst big men in the college ranks-knocking down NBA 3-pointers with ease, putting the ball on the floor with either hand, using pump-fakes, spin-moves, jump-stops and creating his own shot with fantastic footwork. He's rebounding the ball well, throwing beautiful outlet passes, contesting shots around the basket, and even coming up with a few blocks on occasion.
Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats
Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07
Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences
Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center
Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery
|
