Season Game #15
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Box Scores
Los Angeles Lakers 114 - Sacramento Kings 125
Kobe Bryant during the pre-game introductions
receiving a crowd of cheers. Kobe had a fabulous
night scoring 56 points in his Kings debut.
“King” Kobe Drops 56 Points Against his Former Team
November 28
SACRAMENTO, Nov. 28 (AP)-- Kobe Bryant walked off the court raising his right index finger to the cheering crowd. By his side, Chris Webber did the same -- a rare gesture of triumph for the long-suffering Kings star.
There was 1:30 left in the game and Sacramento had been in control since the middle of the second quarter. The Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 125-114 on Tuesday night, starting Kobe’s new life as part of a new team.
"I'm at a place right now in my career, I couldn't ask for anything better," said Webber, who had 12 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. “Having a teammate with Kobe’s caliber, you know that good things can only happen with your team.”
Bryant did it all -- 56 points, 8 rebounds, seven assists and five steals -- in a dazzling debut with Sacramento. He was introduced to a standing ovation and left to cheers that echoed from the rafters where the team's lone championship banner was hanging.
"Tonight was rocking, man," he said.
When Bryant had to, as he did for most of his other eleven seasons with the Lakers, he did it by himself.
Then, with the Kings ahead 27-26 with 6:30 left in the second quarter and Webber and Brad Miller on the bench, Bryant scored seven of Boston's next 11 points to make the score 38-28 before they re-entered.
"We're just trying to keep Kobe with that second unit so they have a go-to guy every time," recently hired coach Eric Musselman said. "And Kobe knows that it's his time."
Kings’ Coach Eric Musselman talking to his boys during a timeout. He
was hired by the Kings after a disappointing start by Reggie Theus.
Miller had his moments. He scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting for a franchise that missed the playoffs last season for the first time in eight seasons.
Now, after the blockbuster trade for Bryant, Radmanovic and Farmar, the Kings are a popular choice to go into the postseason. Not bad for a team that had lost its chemistry and focus due to injuries and suspensions last season, finishing just 33-49 which was last in the Pacific Division.
Kobe Bryant’s performance along with his teammates definitely grabbed the attention of teams around the league.
"It's a good message to put out there," newly acquired Radmanovic said, "but we'll be tried every night."
Radmanovic started the game and had a good night scoring 14 points. Fellow newcomer Jordan Farmar added 4 points, 2 steals and 2 assists as a backup point guard.
Kevin Martin scored 31 points and Mike Bibby and Ron Artest both had 20 points, who were playing their second game as members of the Los Angeles Lakers. Lamar Odom added 17 points and had 8 rebounds.
“Kobe was just awesome," Odom said. "It seemed like he has developed chemistry with his new team. What’s scary is that this is just his first game with them."
Bryant led a second-quarter rally that gave the Kings control, expanding a 26-22 lead at the end of the first quarter to 53-44 at the half.
"I probably had the wrong matchup out there when I went to the bench," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "That's when he got it going. He scored, made plays for his teammates and defended pretty well."
Bryant was part of an up-tempo offense and scrappy defense that was missing from the Lakers’ slowed down triangle offense. All that changed when he arrived in Sacramento along with Vladimir Radmanovic and Jordan Farmar.
“It was tough to play against your former team,” Mike Bibby said. “Seeing the fans that has cheered you most of your career now going against you, it is really tough. But I know this part of a basketball career so we just have to deal with it.”
Bryant missed his first shot of the game.
"He was so hyped tonight that the first shot almost broke the backboard," Musselman said of Bryant.
Bryant scored 27 of his 56 points in the third quarter. He hit ten out of 11 shots including 2 three-pointers and went 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. His performance in the third blew the game wide open as the Kings finished the third leading by eighteen, 90-72.
The closest the Lakers came in the fourth quarter was 110-102, but Bryant scored the next three points.
The Kings’ duo of Bryant and Webber, has a long way to go before it matches the accomplishments of the 1950-51 Rochester Royals -- which gave the franchise its first and only championship.
“I really can’t say we are championship contenders,” Kobe Bryant said. “I do believe we need a player or two to give us some more talent boost. When that happens maybe we can turn some heads in this league.”
Notes: Martin, Bibby and Artest combined for 71 points led by Martin’s 31 but they have yet to win as part of the Lakers. ... Kings F Chris Webber hurt his arm in the third period but he was able to return late in the 4th quarter. ... The Los Angeles Lakers never had the lead in this game. ... Sacramento out rebounded the Lakers by ten, 47-37. ... In a funny note, Lakers F Luke Walton almost passed the ball to Kobe Bryant during a fight for the loose ball in the first quarter.
Photo Gallery
NBA Scoreboard
ORL 108 @ MIA 90 Jameer Nelson 28 pts, 8 ast
SEA 90 @ MIN 101 Randy Foye 21 pts, 5 reb
DET 99 @ CHI 98 Chauncey Billups 25 pts, 7 ast, 5 reb
MEM 82 @ DAL 111 Dirk Nowitzki 36 pts, 9 reb
LAC 99 @ PHX 107 Steve Nash 27 pts, 13 ast, 4 stl
UTAH 105 @ POR 106 Brandon Roy 21 pts, 5 ast
NBA Rumors: Tuesday, Nov. 28
Welcome to the rumors page! There are several rumors going around the league right now so be
sure to check it out.
Portland dealing Martell Webster?
Sources are saying that swingman Martell Webster of the TrailBlazers have been put on the
trade block. He would be a great addition to teams that need athleticism and scoring in the forward
slot. He could also play the shooting guard position.
Some insiders also said that Portland may also ship out a point guard. They are currently loaded
at that position having players like Steve Blake, Jarrett Jack, Taurean Green and Sergio Rodriguez.
Kyle Lowry on the trade block?
Rumor has it that the young Grizzlies point guard Kyle Lowry has been put on the trade block. This
move is quite possible since the Memphis Grizzlies are leaning more on the development of rookie
Mike Conley.
“I haven’t heard anything like that from the management,” Lowry said. “If they trade me then so be it,
if not, then I will be glad to stay here in Memphis. I love all the guys here.”
Take this things for what it’s worth. Check back next time for news and rumors from around the NBA.