Celtics-Lakers set to open another chapter in illustrious history of NBA Finals Game 7s

By Dave D'Alessandro/The Star-Ledger


This is supposed to be about glory, celebrity, immortality and all that rot.

But there’s a flip side, and it isn’t always glorious.

“The culture of Game 7s,” Pat Riley said more than a decade ago, “is one of pure intensity and desperation. But mostly, it’s about the fear of failure.”

The most frantic, nerve-jangling and special moments in sports are when the championships are decided, and it happens tonight at Staples Center in Los Angeles, where the Lakers and Celtics will play the 105th Game 7 in NBA playoff history — but just the third such deciding game of an NBA Finals in 22 years.

One team will become a champion, the other will be relegated to a crowded avenue where failures are the principal tenants. But both are feeling pretty much the same thing before the clock strikes 9 in the East.

Dick Motta, who coached nearly 2,000 games over 25 seasons, compared the pressure to the execution scene from a 1930s melodrama: “It was just like James Cagney going to the electric chair,” the Washington coach said, recalling the atmosphere in Seattle prior to Game 7 in 1978.
“I told everyone, ‘It’s too bad we can’t have a lot of little bottles here, take the corks off and close them, and sell this atmosphere for a quarter a shot.’”

Now we find out who can withstand it.

Welcome Back, Seven. It’s good to see you again.


NBA FINALS GAME 7s;
Year -- Result -- Series MVP

2004-05 -- SPURS 81, Pistons 74 -- Tim Duncan
1993-94 -- ROCKETS 90, Knicks 84 -- Hakeem Olajuwon
1987-88 -- LAKERS 108, Pistons 105 -- James Worthy
1983-84 -- CELTICS 111, Lakers 102 -- Larry Bird
1977-78 -- Bullets 105, SONICS 99 -- Wes Unseld
1973-74 -- Celtics 102, BUCKS 87 -- John Havlicek
1969-70 -- KNICKS 113, Lakers 99 -- Willis Reed
1968-69 -- Celtics 108, LAKERS 106 -- Jerry West
1965-66 -- CELTICS 95, Lakers 93 -- None
1961-62 -- CELTICS 110, Lakers 107 (OT) -- None
1959-60 -- CELTICS 122, Hawks 103 -- None
1956-57 -- CELTICS 125, Hawks 123 (2OT) -- None
1954-55 -- NATIONALS 92, Pistons 91 -- None
1953-54 -- LAKERS 87, Nationals 80 -- None
1951-52 -- LAKERS 82, Knicks 65 -- None
1950-51 -- ROYALS 79, Knicks 75 -- None
(Home team in CAPS)

Read more at:http://www.nj.com/nets/index.ssf/2010/06/celtics-lakers_set_to_open_ano.html

Watch Game 7 Live at http://streamnbawadelebronkobe.blogspot.com/p/nba-today.html

Lakers dismantle Suns, again

By Dan Robson, CBC Sports

Like an older brother giving a younger sibling a faint hope of winning in a game of driveway pickup — the Los Angeles Lakers toyed with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

The Lakers allowed the Suns to stick with them for three quarters in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference finals, but pulled ahead in the fourth en route to a 124-112 win and a 2-0 lead in the series.

Grant Hill dropped 17 of his 23 points in the third quarter and the Suns entered the final frame knotted with the Lakers at 90. For a moment, it looked as though the Suns had a fighting chance.

But it was getting late. And the Lakers had homework to do, or some television to watch. Game over.

Pau Gasol scored 14 points in the fourth, finishing with a total of 29, as the Lakers outscored the lacklustre Suns 34-22 in the final frame.

Kobe Bryant complemented Gasol's effort with 21 points and a Steve Nash-like 13 assists as the Lakers captured their eighth straight playoff win.

Jason Richardson dropped 29 points for the visiting Suns, adding to Hill's 23.

For the second straight game, Lakers fans chanted, "We want Boston, we want Boston," with many filing out of the Staples Centre before the final buzzer, feeling certain of victory.

"We've been able to play both styles of basketball," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We like to control the pace, but we feel comfortable if it's an accelerated pace."

Nash's 15 assists were marred by five turnovers. He added 11 points in the losing effort.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/story/2010/05/20/sp-suns-lakers.html#ixzz0oRr4O97k


NBA Game Recap

Kobe powers Lakers past Suns to open NBA semi-final

(AFP)

LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and the Los Angeles Lakers ripped Phoenix 128-107 in the opening game of the NBA Western Conference finals.

Bryant scored 21 points in the third quarter, his highest-scoring period in any game this season, despite not having practiced in the past week with the reigning NBA champion Lakers due to nagging knee injuries.

The Lakers, who host game two in the best-of-seven series on Wednesday, hope to advance to a third consecutive NBA Finals, where they would face the winner of the Eastern Conference championship series between Orlando and Boston.

Los Angeles ended the first quarter with an 18-4 run to grab a 33-26 lead, the Suns missing nine of their last 11 shots in a period that ended with a baseline basket by Bryant at the buzzer.

The Lakers pushed the lead to 62-55 at half-time, with Lamar Odom having 15 points and eight rebounds in the first two quarters.

"I just wanted to stay focused and I was able to do that," Odom said.

Continue reading here...

Game Recap



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NBA Conference Finals is here - watch it live

Four NBA teams are left. Who will advance to the NBA Finals? It will start today 3:30PM ET, Boston Celtics against Orlando Magic.

Celtics vs Magic

Magic has the home court advantage all through out the playoffs(even in NBA finals) because they have the second best record in the NBA regular season. But Celtics proved that they don't need home court advantage to win a series. The Celtics dumped the Cavaliers 4-2 while the Magic gave no mercy in sweeping the Atlanta Hawks of their own series.

For Orlando to win this series, their shooters should play well to free up the interior defence of the Celtics. Dwight Howard will really have a hard time because Kevin Garnet is healthy. Lets watch out for this two.

For Boston, I think they have the advantage because of experience and the good news for them is their Big Three are all healthy. But I still believe that Rajon Rondo is still the catalyst of this team. He should play well like what he did in the Cavaliers series.

Prediction: Celtics 4-2

Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns

Lakers reached the Conference finals for the third straight year. They swept the Utah Jazz and the Suns swept the Spurs also. Suns pick-n-roll offense will be in trouble because the Lakers has the formula to stop it(look what they did in Jazz series). But Steve Nash will be the main catalyst of the Suns, he should distribute the ball well and be aggressive in defense.

For the Lakers, they should tighten their defense and cover all the shooters well. Lakers have all the advantage especially their twin towers. This series is fun to watch and the Lakers are very eager to revenge their playoffs losses to the Suns. Kobe Bryant will still be the go to guy of the Lakers.

Prediction: Lakers 4-1

Watch the NBA Conference Final Games at NBA TODAY

NBA Playoff semifinals match-up

NBA Quarter finals is almost complete. Only the Hawks-Bucks series extends to a game 7 on Sunday. That means Orlando Magic has all the time to rest and scout their possible opponents. But I think either Hawks or Bucks, they will still advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Cavaliers vs Celtics
Prediction: Cavaliers 4-3

Celtics is still Celtics. They match up well with the Cavaliers but I still pick Lebron James and the Cavaliers. With the addition of Shaq and Jamison, Cavaliers will have all the firepower to dominate the Celtics. For the Celtics, in order them to win this series, Rajon Rando should play well. He, I think is the X-factor. Every time Rando distribute the ball well, the Celtics rolls easily to a victory. But Lebron James will cruise to the NBA Finals, he has two MVP tucked in his belt, only left is that elusive ring. James is motivated to get it.

San Antonio Spurs vs Phoenix Suns
Prediction: Spurs 4-2

Spurs proves that they can still win a series by beating the second seeded Dallas Mavericks. Despite their aging star, they outrun and out hustle the Mavericks. This time they will be tested with the Phoenix Suns. Amare Stoudamire is a beast inside and will cause a lot of head aches to the Spurs. But I think Spurs will win this series because of their fundamental defense.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz
Prediction: Lakers 4-2

Utah Jazz has done a great job in eliminating the Denver Nuggets. Despite their injuries to key players, they still manage to win a series. But this time around, I think luck is not on their side. Lakers has all the luxury of every position especially their twin towers Gasol and Bynum plus Kobe Bryant. For the Jazz, CJ Miles should play well if they want to advance. Lakers in 6 games.

As Expected, Bryant Signs Extension With Lakers

By JONATHAN ABRAMS

Scratch one big name from the star-studded 2010 free-agent class. It is not as if many expected Kobe Bryant to lend an ear to potential recruiters, but Bryant made official what had been expected, signing a three-year contract extension with the Lakers on Friday.

The extension is expected to amount to around $90 million and sets up the likelihood that Bryant, 31, will retire as a Laker. It also means that the core of last season’s championship team will be together for the next few years. Since the start of the 2008-9 season, the Lakers have locked in Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Bryant.

“Two of our main goals heading into this season were to sign Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to contract extensions,” Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement. “With the signing of Pau earlier this season and the signing of Kobe today, we were able to accomplish those goals, helping to keep the core of this team intact for the foreseeable future and in turn help to ensure the franchise’s continued success over the years to come.”

source: offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com

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Johnson scores 25 to lead Hawks past Lakers 109-92

by Paul Newberry(AP)

ATLANTA — Joe Johnson scored 25 points, Jamal Crawford got plenty of help off the Atlanta bench and the Hawks handed Los Angeles its second straight loss, breezing past the Lakers 109-92 Wednesday night.

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points but only eight in the second half as Los Angeles lost back-to-back games for just the fourth time this season. The Lakers won twice on a five-game road trip and missed a chance to possibly clinch the Pacific Division title before heading back home.

The Hawks, who came into the night tied with Boston for the third seed in the Eastern Conference, won their ninth straight at home — their longest such run since a 20-game streak at the old Omni during the 1996-97 season.

Johnson hit five 3-pointers but the bench did the best work. The always-reliable Crawford scored 14 points, Maurice Evans had 18 and the Hawks' reserves outscored the Lakers bench 48-22, also getting a double-double from Zaza Pachulia.

Atlanta went ahead for good on Crawford's 3-pointer with 1:35 left in the first quarter, stretched it out to 55-45 by halftime and was never seriously threatened over the final two quarters, pushing the margin as high as 18 points.

Evans went 7 of 9 from the field, his only two misses coming from outside the arc. Pachulia scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, his first double-double since March 29, 2009, also against the Lakers.

Bryant called it a night with 2 1/2 minutes to go, heading to the bench after a turnover and watching the rest of the game with a towel draped over his shoulders.

The attendance-challenged Hawks drew a full-house-and-then-some crowd of 20,190, a team record since their move to Philips Arena in 1999. Among those sitting courtside were Hall of Famer Julius Erving and Atlanta rapper T.I., who was recently released from a halfway house after serving prison time on a weapons charge.

Read more at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jL1DrQYZumobgyFBt5-JfL5gGAdgD9EPVPDO1

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NBA Round Up: Josh Smith buzzer beater

Josh Smith buzzer beater dunk carries Atlanta Hawks past Orlando Magic 86-84

Atlanta Hawks clinched their third straight trip to the playoffs. Thanks to the buzzer beater dunk of Josh Smith. Officialls review it and the dunk went in with 0.01 seconds remaining.

“I knew it was close,” Smith said. “I just crashed it. I looked and the ball was there. Joe’s a good shooter, and I knew it wouldn’t be much off.”



Atlanta snapped a six-game losing streak against the Magic dating back to the opener of the 2008-09 season.

Charlotte Bobcats rout Minesota Timberwolves 108-95
Jackson hit 4 of 6 from the three point line and scored 37 points to help the Bobcats. Jackson revealed that he was being bothered by a bruised ligament in his left index fingers.
Al Jefferson led the Timberwolves, 26 points and they end their road trip this season with a disappointing 5-32 record.

Wizards loss 13th straight
Danny Granger scored 31 points to help the Indiana Pacers hand Washington Wizards its 13th straight game loss. The last time the Wizards won was against New Jersey Nets last Feb 28, 2010.

Coach Flip Saunders response about their consecutive losses.

“I don’t think our guys are looking at that,” he said. “We’re looking at trying to be competitive and look ahead. The reason we’re getting beat right now is because other teams are better than us. We’re not very good right now.”

Utah Jazz beats Toronto Raptors 113-87
The Raptors experienced their second straight game blowout loss at home. Deron Williams helps the Jazz with his 18 points and 16 assists. Raptors missed the service of Hedo Turkoglo in the second half due to stomach virus.

Celtics back in the playoffs
The Boston Celtics beat the Denver Nuggets 113-99 and clinched their playoffs spot. Paul Pierce lead the Boston Celtics with 27 points. Pierce rebounded from the 5 points performance against the Denver last Feb. 21.

“The Paul Pierce you saw out in Denver wasn’t the Paul Pierce that usually shows up to play,” he said. “Right now I’m as healthy as I’ve been all year and this is our time to start playing well.”

New Jersey Nets Win
Lopez helps Nets in their quest to avoid the stigma as the NBA's worst team. Lopez scored 26 points and carried the team, beating the Sacramento Kings 93-79.

Philadelphia 76ers beats Milwaukee Bucks 101-86
Rokie Jrue Holiday scored 15 points and had seven assists as the Sixers stun the Bucks.

Thunder beats Rockets 122-104
James Harden returned in the lineup for the Thunder after two weeks of absence. He help the Thunder with his 23 points, together with Durant who scored 25 points carried the Thunder over the Rockets.

“I just wanted to come out and get my swag back like it was before I left,” said Harden, who had his fourth 20-point game of the season and his first since Dec. 7

Cavs slip past over Hornets 105-92
Behind the good performance of Lebron James, the Cavs beat the Hornest and stays at the top of NBA standing. James scored 38 points on 15 of 22 shooting. He even turned his left ankle in the final seconds of the first half. At the second half, he started and did not show any sign of ill effect.

“LeBron’s 6-8, and if you double team him, he’s going to throw over the defense. He can definitely see over the defense,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. “He can burn you either way. LeBron had an outstanding game but the guys around him played extremely well feeding off of the double teams … and the attention that he drew.”

Lakers won over Spurs 92-83
Behind Kobe Bryant 24 points, as the Lakers win seven straight. Artest also played a good defense in the second half that triggers the Lakers offense.
Manu Ginobili scored 24 points in a losing cause for the Spurs.

Warriors won over Grizzlies 128-110
Stephen Curry scored 30 points and the Warriors spoils Grizzlies bid of a playoff spot. He also had 11 assists. Grizzlies Zach Randolph scored 16 points but left the ball game in the third quarter with a sore ankle.

source

Kobe Bryant's hard to embrace, but he's clearly the best clutch player in the game

The Lakers guard can work miracles, but he doesn't make it easy.
By Mark Heisler

Kobe or not Kobe, the mystery, wrapped in an enigma, wearing No. 24, continues....

There was never an icon, or whatever Kobe Bryant is, like Kobe Bryant, who's held at arm's length even by a segment of Lakerdom.

When he broke Jerry West's scoring record a wave of protest arose — among Lakers fans — offended by the suggestion that it made him the greatest Laker.

Kobe takes your breath away, but so did West and Magic Johnson, who also tugged at your heartstrings.

If Kobe realizes you have heartstrings, he doesn't know how to tug at them, although he's gone through enough PR people trying.

What setting a Lakers scoring record lacked in drama, Bryant is making up for with six game-winning shots — thus far — in his Miracles R Us season.

Of course, Kobe being Kobe, even this is arguable.

ESPN's Henry Abbott, who had Bryant as a guy who made big shots "at a pretty good, but not elite, rate," now says he's "open to the idea he could still be the best clutch player in the NBA."

That's good because Bryant is far and away the best clutch player in the NBA.

LeBron James's shooting has improved enough to put him in Bryant's class, but he doesn't have the same body of work.

If anyone seems close to them, it's because you can't measure "clutch."

The Elias Sports Bureau now has a stat called "game-winners," counting shots that put your team ahead to stay in the last 10 seconds.

Not that breaking a tie with 10 seconds left is like bringing your team from two points behind in the last :04 — as Bryant has done three times, against Miami, Sacramento and Memphis.

Two more Kobe jumpers in the last :07 brought them from one point behind in Boston and Milwaukee.

Then, there was last week's relative anti-climax, an 18-footer with 1.9 seconds left, breaking a 107-107 tie with Toronto.

Bryant's six game-winners, the most in a season since 2000, and his 20 for the decade to No. 2 Vince Carter's 13, are officially incomparable — because the NBA didn't archive play-by-plays until 1998.

We don't know how many West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Michael Jordan made, but with or without stats, they were a different species from Carter.

Read More at latimes.com

After third straight loss, Lakers trying to stop the tailspin

After third straight loss, Lakers trying to stop the tailspin
They’ve lost four straight road games, and their Western Conference lead over Dallas is now just three games. ‘We have no choice but to keep going,’ says Derek Fisher.

By Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Orlando - The Lakers are reeling.

And they know that.

They lost their third consecutive game, this time a physical, trash-talking, technical-filled defeat to the Orlando Magic on Sunday at Amway Arena.

The Lakers had not lost three consecutive games since they acquired Pau Gasol on Feb. 1, 2008.

They are finding that the road to winning back-to-back championships is filled with potholes.

They are 4-5 in their last nine games.

They have lost four straight road games, and their lead over the Dallas Mavericks for the best record in the Western Conference has been whittled down to three games.

"We have to keep believing in the ultimate goal," Derek Fisher said. "That's what helps you stay focused through adversity is realizing that you're still on the path to where you want to go.

"When you're popping that Champagne, these are the times that you remember. This is what brings the tears."

The Lakers just didn't look sharp against the Magic.

The Lakers had three players score in double figures, the Magic had five.

The Lakers didn't get a lot of help from their bench, with a combined 16 points. Read Full Story

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Questions keep coming after another stagnant road loss for Lakers

by mike.bresnahan@latimes.com & broderick.turner@latimes.com

Kobe Bryant says they need to bring more. Andrew Bynum says they have to work together.

ANDREW BYNUM looked at the gathering before him Friday night and listened to the question about how the Lakers haven't played a worthy game since Denver last Sunday.

 Bynum smiled and answered the question before it was completed, making a statement on what Lakers' fans and the media have been wondering after the Lakers struggled to win the next game against Indiana and then lost the next two on the road at Miami and Charlotte

"What the (heck)? I think that's what everybody is thinking right now," Bynum said following the Lakers' 98-83 loss to the Bobcats.

KOBE BRYANT stood before the media with a frown on his face, his answer curt, and his tone serious and definite.

Bryant identified the problems his team has been having — being flat, not having energy.

And how do the Lakers change what ails them?

"Well, you just got to elevate your game," Bryant said. "The effort and the energy that we're playing with is not enough. You got to bring more. This time last year, it probably would have been enough. When you're champions, you've got to bring more."

The Lakers didn't bring enough of anything against the Bobcats.

They fell behind by 20 points. They turned the ball over 20 times.

They sloshed through a victory over Indiana on Tuesday, lost in overtime at Miami on Thursday and were not the same team after halftime against the Bobcats on Friday.

"We're just disjointed," Bynum said. "We're not playing together. Everybody is kind of a little discombobulated out there. That's the best way to put it. It's just like playing five sets of one-on-ones versus playing together."

Bryant said he would talk to his teammates about what's at stake, about how difficult it is to repeat as NBA champions, something he did when he was a part of the Lakers' three-peat from 2000-2002.

When asked if now is the right time to have a discussion with his teammates, Bryant shrugged.

"I don't know if it's time or not," Bryant said. "I'll just communicate and talk to my guys, just make sure that we continue to move forward and we understand that if we want to repeat as champions, it's not going to be easy. We've got to bring it."

Thumbs down

Another Laker has an injury to his hand.

Ron Artest sustained a sprained left thumb in the third quarter of Thursday's game against Miami and had it taped for Friday's game. He said he did not remember the specific play that caused the injury.

Bryant has dealt with a broken right index finger since December and Lamar Odom often tapes together two fingers on his right hand, to help ease the pressure on a sore index finger.

More recently, Shannon Brown sustained a sprained right thumb and Jordan Farmar has a sprained ligament in his left hand.

"It seems to be a hand-injury year," Coach Phil Jackson said. "They just have to adjust how to play with it."


source: latimes.com

Clash of the stars, Wade and Miami Heat won against Bryant and Lakers

Wade and Miami Heat weathered the gutsiness play of Kobe in OT to beat the Lakers in Miami.

Wade has 27 Pts on 9-21 shooting with 5rebs and an impressive 14 Assists. While Kobe Bryant has 39Pts on 15-28 shooting. The difference is the defense. Bryant called for a crucial offensive foul a minute left of overtime and that's the turning point of the game.

It's the Lakers first over time loss in 5 Games and Miami's second win in 3 OT games.

Read more at yahoo.com

James files papers to switch from No. 23 to No. 6

by (AP)

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — The number on LeBron James' back will be different next season. The Cleveland Cavaliers can only hope the logo on the front of his jersey remains the same.

James has filed paperwork with the NBA to change his uniform number next season to No. 6 from No. 23, the league confirmed Tuesday. James said earlier this season he would be willing to give up No. 23 in an effort to have the NBA retire it in honor of Michael Jordan.

Paperwork had to be filed this week to request a number change for next season.

"All it does is back up LeBron's beliefs," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "He's a loyalty guy. When he believes in something, he sticks to his guns and he believes wholeheartedly in what he's doing."

James can become a free agent this summer. He would only need the league's approval to change numbers if he remains in Cleveland. Should he sign with another team, James would be allowed to choose any available number without needing approval.

He dismissed a question about his future shortly after the Cavaliers beat the Knicks 124-93 Monday night.

"I stopped answering free agent questions a long time ago," he said.

James, who declined interview requests on Tuesday, is going from one famous number to another. Julius Erving and Bill Russell both wore No. 6.

"The first thing I think of is Dr. J," Brown said.

James wore No. 6 with the U.S. Olympic team and wears it every day in practice. He isn't the first superstar to change numbers mid-career. Among others, Jordan briefly wore No. 45 after coming out of retirement with the Bulls, and Kobe Bryant more recently switched from No. 8 to No. 24.

"We remember the 8 on Kobe, but we also know the 24," Cavaliers point guard Mo Williams said. "After a year or two, people will look past the old number and let it rest with Jordan."

source: google.com/hostednews

Lakers try not to dial it down; Bryant looks to dial it up

Coming off big win over Denver, Lakers face a decidedly lesser foe, the Indiana Pacers. Meanwhile, Bryant hopes to relocate his jumper after three sub-par shooting games.

by Broderick Turner

The Lakers are coming off a high, an intense win against Western Conference rival Denver.
Their elation stems partly from Ron Artest's tenacious defense Sunday against Nuggets All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, plus Lamar Odom's stellar fourth quarter in which he scored nine of his game-high 20 points and collected eight of his 12 rebounds.
Now the Lakers have to zero in on a far lesser opponent.
They play the struggling Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at Staples Center. The Pacers are 20-39 and have lost seven of their last 10 games.
"I know we're going to go out there and play hard. I know that for a fact," Artest said after practice Monday. "We've been playing hard lately. We haven't been able to get the wins that we want to. Sometimes we play and we lose. But the main thing is to come out tomorrow and we play hard and it'll work itself out."
Bryant searches for his jumper
So, Kobe Bryant, what's going on with your jump shot these days?
"Well, three for 17, I'd say it's a little [messed] up," Bryant said, laughing.
He was referring to his performance Sunday against the Nuggets.
One reason for the concern is that Bryant sat out 18 days — and five games — recovering from a sprained left ankle. Then he came back against the Memphis Grizzlies last week and looked as if he hadn't missed a game.
Bryant was 13 for 19 from the field, including the game-winning three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left. He also made a three-pointer with 54 seconds left to tie the score.
But since that game, Bryant has shot 19 for 56 (33.9%) from the field. He has missed all six of his three-point attempts.
"I had a lot of time off where I wasn't able to shoot the basketball, so that's why it's inconsistent," Bryant said. "Now I've got a chance to get in and kind of work on it a little bit. I did a little bit today and I'll do a little more tomorrow and get it back to that level of consistency that it needs to."
After practice Monday, Bryant played one-on-one against two kids.
On one play, he demonstrated why he is such a competitor, swatting the little kid's shot away and then smiling while talking trash.
"No mercy," Bryant said, laughing. "There's nothing wrong with posting up a little kid. He wants to play one-on-one, he knows full well what he was getting into. Naw, it was fun."
Injury update
Sasha Vujacic, who has been out because of a sprained right shoulder, has been unable to practice, but said he hopes to be available next Monday after the Lakers return home from a three-game trip.
Luke Walton, who has been out because of a pinched nerve in his back, worked out on an exercise machine Monday and said his back felt good, but that "good is a relative term right now."
Etc.
Bryant was asked what his reaction was to Denver Coach George Karl's saying the Lakers turned the game into a wrestling match.
"That's encouraging for us," said Bryant, knowing that his team has been labeled soft. "We've always been the cupcake team. I'm happy to hear that."

source:latimes.com

Kobe returns and sinks Grizzlies, 99-98

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)—Hitting a game-winning shot never gets old for Kobe Bryant.

“Every time it feels like the first time,” he said.

Bryant returned to lineup after missing five games with an ankle injury and made a 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to lift the Los Angeles Lakers to 99-98 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night.

Bryant led the Lakers with 32 points, including his team’s final nine points. His 3-pointer with 54 seconds left tied the game at 96-all. His game-winner came off an inbounds play 4 seconds after his layup attempt was blocked by Rudy Gay.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant(notes), right, shoots over Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol(notes) (33) of Spain in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 in Memphis, Tenn. The Lakers beat the Grizzlies 99-98.

“He kept making plays at the end of the game,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said of Bryant. “Great players make great plays. You’ve got to give him his due (but) it hurts.”

Bryant’s late scoring spree came after the Lakers had missed five straight free throws and trailed, 95-90, with 2:59 left. He began his nine-point run with a jumper from the left wing with 2:23 to go to trim the Memphis lead to 95-92.

After Gay’s free throw, Bryant dropped in a technical free throw to make it 96-93. Gay scored again with 40 seconds left to up the Grizzlies lead to 98-93 before Bryant’s back-to-back 3-pointers won it for the Lakers.

“Only in Hollywood, I guess,” Bryant said. “It’s fun. It’s my responsibility to make plays down the stretch. I enjoy it.”

Pau Gasol added 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who won for the seventh time in their last eight road games.

“Nobody in the world is shocked anymore by what Kobe Bryant does and what he brings to the team,” Gasol said. “He really stepped up at the end. It feels good to have him back.” Read More

source: sports.yahoo.com/nba

Injury-Plagued Kobe Eyes Tuesday Return Vs. Grizzlies

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant eyes a much-awaited return against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday, after missing five regular-season games due to various injuries.
Bryant reportedly attended the team’s practice Saturday for the first time since February 15. Bryant, the 2008 NBA regular-season MVP, remains as the Lakers all-around court leader, averaging 28 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game.
Without Bryant, the Lakers still went 4-1 with forwards Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Ron Artest leading the way.
The Lakers also received quality minutes from reserve guard Shannon Brown, who averaged 15.3 points in the last three games.
Bryant said he felt good at practice and only needs days to get back at full strength.
Meanwhile, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he’ll evaluate Bryant’s condition to see if the injuries don’t affect his superstar guard.
Bryant will try to reach another milestone in Memphis, as he plays his 1,000th career game.
Last month, Bryant surpassed NBA legend Jerry West to become the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer before the Grizzlies home crowd.
Bryant will undergo a series of physical test Sunday to reevaluate his injuries, but still expects a Tuesday return.
“The ankle should be ready to play Tuesday… If it’s not, I’m firing everybody,” Bryant joked to ESPN. “It’s been long enough.”

source: gantdaily.com