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Bryant facilitates Lakers win
Source: Agencies |
April 22, 2011, Friday
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OFTEN criticized by Los Angeles Lakers fans for being a 'ball hog', Kobe Bryant played the role of facilitator to perfection on Wednesday as the NBA champions levelled their playoff series with New Orleans.
Bryant ended the night with a meager 11 points on three-for-10 shooting from the field, spending much of his time creating and also defending dangerous Hornets guard Chris Paul, who ran the Lakers ragged in Game 1 on Sunday. Three days after losing the series opener 100-109 on their home court, the Lakers bounced back to win Game 2 87-78 largely because of a superb defensive effort sparked by Bryant's selfless strategy.
"I thought Kobe was unbelievable tonight," Lakers forward Ron Artest told reporters after contributing 15 points and six rebounds. "He just played the game in the right way. He's the best player in the world and he trusted us. For him to sacrifice like that, it's important that we sacrifice whatever we have ... play hard on every possession. We've got to be able to match his sacrifice."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson also applauded Bryant's efforts.
"There's never been a defense or a style I have seen that really stopped Kobe (scoring)," Jackson said. "Tonight he was very focused on getting the team to run the offense, so he didn't really get into that mode."
The ploy worked like a dream as the Lakers levelled the best-of-seven series 1-1 in a low-scoring, physical encounter in front of a sellout crowd at the Staples Center.
"Offensively we weren't very good, we were good enough," Bryant said. "Defensively, though, we played well. We were active, we were aggressive. That's what we need to be. We had a good rhythm. We found something that we can hang our hats on in terms of the intensity and aggression that we play with. Going up to New Orleans, I think that environment will bring it out too."
Asked about his decision to play the role of facilitator, Bryant replied: "I wanted to make sure that the guys gain confidence in being aggressive.
"It's not about the amount of shots you take, it's about giving effort at both ends of the floor. I think it was very important for us to understand that as a group.
"We win games at the defensive end. For the most part, I was just going through the motions and just facilitating tonight."
Contributions
In Oklahoma City, the Thunder built a big first-half lead on the way to a 106-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Russell Westbrook added 21 for the Thunder, who did not rely upon its All-Star duo as much as it did in Game 1, instead getting contributions from everyone to build a 26-point lead early in the second quarter.
In San Antonio, the hosts beat Memphis 93-87 to square their series at 1-1.
Manu Ginobili scored 17 points in the All-Star's return after missing Game 1 with an elbow sprain, and wore a thick sleeve to protect his right elbow but played as physically as usual.
Tim Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, and Hill and Richard Jefferson added 16 apiece.
Bryant ended the night with a meager 11 points on three-for-10 shooting from the field, spending much of his time creating and also defending dangerous Hornets guard Chris Paul, who ran the Lakers ragged in Game 1 on Sunday. Three days after losing the series opener 100-109 on their home court, the Lakers bounced back to win Game 2 87-78 largely because of a superb defensive effort sparked by Bryant's selfless strategy.
"I thought Kobe was unbelievable tonight," Lakers forward Ron Artest told reporters after contributing 15 points and six rebounds. "He just played the game in the right way. He's the best player in the world and he trusted us. For him to sacrifice like that, it's important that we sacrifice whatever we have ... play hard on every possession. We've got to be able to match his sacrifice."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson also applauded Bryant's efforts.
"There's never been a defense or a style I have seen that really stopped Kobe (scoring)," Jackson said. "Tonight he was very focused on getting the team to run the offense, so he didn't really get into that mode."
The ploy worked like a dream as the Lakers levelled the best-of-seven series 1-1 in a low-scoring, physical encounter in front of a sellout crowd at the Staples Center.
"Offensively we weren't very good, we were good enough," Bryant said. "Defensively, though, we played well. We were active, we were aggressive. That's what we need to be. We had a good rhythm. We found something that we can hang our hats on in terms of the intensity and aggression that we play with. Going up to New Orleans, I think that environment will bring it out too."
Asked about his decision to play the role of facilitator, Bryant replied: "I wanted to make sure that the guys gain confidence in being aggressive.
"It's not about the amount of shots you take, it's about giving effort at both ends of the floor. I think it was very important for us to understand that as a group.
"We win games at the defensive end. For the most part, I was just going through the motions and just facilitating tonight."
Contributions
In Oklahoma City, the Thunder built a big first-half lead on the way to a 106-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Russell Westbrook added 21 for the Thunder, who did not rely upon its All-Star duo as much as it did in Game 1, instead getting contributions from everyone to build a 26-point lead early in the second quarter.
In San Antonio, the hosts beat Memphis 93-87 to square their series at 1-1.
Manu Ginobili scored 17 points in the All-Star's return after missing Game 1 with an elbow sprain, and wore a thick sleeve to protect his right elbow but played as physically as usual.
Tim Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, and Hill and Richard Jefferson added 16 apiece.
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