BRYANT IS IN HIS ELEMENT AGAIN.Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer 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. strolled to the free-throw line free-throw line n. See foul line. with 41 seconds left against the San Antonio Spurs The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and are the current NBA Champions after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals. Tuesday looking like a man without a care in the world. And why not? Bryant was in his element once again: fourth quarter, close game, tense situation and a chance to stick another dagger into the heart of the Spurs. After sinking both free throws to put the Lakers ahead by seven, he turned around and smiled, then shook a triumphant fist in the air as he ran back to the other end of the court. This was the Bryant the Spurs had come to despise in this series, and one the Lakers came to expect and lean on. Confident, effective, unstoppable. Bryant owned the fourth quarter in this series and as a result he owned the series, which the Lakers won 4-1 with Tuesday's 93-87 victory at 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. . In Game 5, Bryant had 10 of his 26 points in the decisive fourth period, six of which came over the final three minutes "Three Minutes" is the 46th episode of Lost. It is the twenty-second episode of the second season. The episode was directed by Stephen Williams, and written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. It first aired on May 17, 2006 on ABC. - a layup to tie the game 83-83, another to put the Lakers ahead 85-83, then the two free throws to make it 92-85. For good measure, he darted through the lane, then flicked a pass out to Robert Horry Robert Horry (born August 25, 1970 in Harford County, Maryland) is an American National Basketball Association basketball player. Currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Horry is is known for his ability to make clutch shots in big games. alone in the corner for a 3-pointer to make it a seven-point game. Oh, and he had 11 rebounds in the game. The Spurs could do nothing but watch in admiration. ``He was Kobe again.'' Spurs guard Antonio Daniels Antonio Ray Daniels (born March 19 1975 in Columbus, Ohio) is an American professional basketball player currently with the Washington Wizards of the NBA. After playing college basketball at Bowling Green State University, he was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies (now Memphis said afterward. Bryant typified the Lakers' confidence - some would say arrogance - in this series. They never appeared threatened, or in need of urgent remedies, until the fourth quarter, continually spotting the Spurs big leads before taking games over in the final period. It's a maddening attitude for Lakers coaches and fans, but the Lakers simply point to the results and shrug their shoulders. They have won consecutive titles and 21 of their last 22 playoff games. This year it has been Bryant's heroics in the final period that have guided them to the Western Conference finals. ``When the game is close in the fourth quarter, we expect to win, we play to win,'' said Bryant, who had 11 points in the fourth quarter of Game 3, and 12 in the fourth quarter of Game 4, both Lakers wins. ``Some teams play to lose, but we definitely have a little swagger about ourselves and a little more confidence in ourselves.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: BRYANT |
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