BRYANT BACK ON GUARD.Byline: Steve Dilbeck Staff Writer EL SEGUNDO El Segundo (ĕl sēgŭn`dō), industrial city (1990 pop. 15,223), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1917. Its products include navigation and computer systems, aircraft parts, office machines, telephone apparatus, and - So many decisions - at the wing, shooting guard The Shooting guard (SG), also known as the two or off guard,[1] is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. , small forward, point guard - so much all the same? Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant (born July 23 1978) is an American All-Star shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. , the focal point focal point n. See focus. of early-season Lakers' discussion, was moved from shooting forward - or, as its often referred to in Phil Jackson's triangle offense  This article or section may be confusing or unclear for some readers.Please [improve the article] or discuss this issue on the talk page. , the wing - back to shooting guard Wednesday night against Golden State. This is his old position, the one where he also opened the first six games of the season. He might remain there for the bulk of the season, but nothing is assured as Jackson continues mulling options. Jackson said it simply could come down to matchups, and Bryant is going with the flow. ``Really, it just depends on who we play and what certain defenses allow,'' Bryant said. ``I personally don't have a preference, as far as what position. It really doesn't matter to me.'' He looked comfortable in the backcourt Wednesday against the Warriors, scorching scorch v. scorched, scorch·ing, scorch·es v.tr. 1. To burn superficially so as to discolor or damage the texture of. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. Larry Hughes Larry Hughes (born January 23 1979 in St. Louis, Missouri) is an American professional basketball player who plays point guard for the National Basketball Association's Cleveland Cavaliers. again, hitting 13 of 19 field goals to lead the Lakers with 31 points. It was the fifth time in six games Bryant scored more than 30 points. Bryant has fallen under the same criticism regarding his recent shot selection that had hounded him throughout his career, but Jackson almost seemed to go out of his way to praise Bryant after Wednesday's game. ``He was very much under control,'' Jackson said. ``He was very conscious of what was the appropriate thing to be done on the floor, taking the open shots when they came and moving the ball when it wasn't there and keeping us in a rhythm.'' Well, not completely. Bryant was also guilty of a game-high eight turnovers. And he still poured up 19 shots in 30 minutes, but when they fall, it becomes harder to complain about lack of control. The wing offers more freedom to score, and unlike the guard spot, doesn't require an initial pass. It forces slightly more discipline, hardly a bad thing to ask of Bryant. Still, it's all subject to change. And it's safe to count on Bryant to put it up from whatever position he plays, particularly in the triangle, where positions are fairly interchangeable. ``We're not going to attach ourselves to one thing,'' Jackson said. --Tidbits: With Bryant in the backcourt, Rick Fox returned to small forward against the Warriors and had one of his sharpest games of the season. In just 21 minutes, Fox hit 3 of 5 shots for eight points and had five rebounds, a pair of assists and helped shut down Chris Mills For the Chicago singer-songwriter, see . Christopher Lemonte Mills (born on January 25, 1970 in Los Angeles, California) is an American former professional basketball player. . Said Jackson: ``He was quick with the ball, he moved it up the court right, finding people open. He played the way we like to see him play.'' . . . Ron Harper
Ronald Harper (born January 20, 1964 in Dayton, Ohio) is a retired American professional basketball player whose career spanned from 1986 to 2001 with four teams in is attending his grandfather's funeral in Texas and will miss tonight's game against Minnesota. . . . The Lakers have won five of their last six games. . . . Tonight is the third game in a stretch of nine where the Lakers play only once outside Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . The Clippers will host the Lakers on Monday. LAKERS vs. MINNESOTA Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., at Staples Center TV/Radio: Fox Sports Net/KLAC-AM (570) Lakers (8-4) update: They have slowly begun showing signs of turning things around, almost quietly winning five of their last six. Guard Ron Harper will miss tonight's game to attend his grandfather's funeral. Brian Shaw Brian K. Shaw (born March 22, 1966 in Oakland, California) is a former professional basketball player. The 6' 6" Shaw could play both guard spots, but was used primarily at point guard over the course of his 14 seasons in the league. , taken out of the lineup in Wednesday's victory over Golden State, is likely to return, at least for one night. Typically, coach Phil Jackson would not reveal his plans. ``But I do know what I'm going to do,'' he said. The Lakers scored 70 points in the first half against the Warriors, shooting .683 from the field. Timberwolves (7-4) update: After a 2-4 start, Minnesota comes into Staples as the hottest team in the league. The Timberwolves have won five consecutive games to pull within a game of San Antonio in the Midwest Division. They are 3-3 on the road but were swept by the Lakers in four regular-season games last season. - Steve Dilbeck CAPTION(S): box Box: LAKERS vs. MINNESOTA (see text) |
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