CHILD'S PLAY FOR BRYANT IN VICTORY KOBE SCORES 27 POINTS AND GIVES THRILLS TO YOUNG FAN LAKERS 90, ATLANTA 83.

Byline: ROSS SILER Staff Writer

ATLANTA -- In the fifth row across from the Lakers bench, a 5-year-old boy stood during the fourth quarter Monday night with a No. 24 jersey, a matching pair of Nike sneakers and a sign: ``Kobe My Parents Named Me After You.''

Kobe Robert Grandstaff had the best seat in Philips Arena to watch his namesake drill fourjumpers after checking back into the game, then wag his finger and dismiss the Atlanta Hawks in a 90-83 victory.

``I was a Lakers fan my whole life,'' father Tim Grandstaff said, ``and from when they drafted (Kobe Bryant) I liked the fact that he was a kid and nobody thought he could do anything. He proved the world wrong.''

What's in a name? Bryant scored 27 points, made 10 of 18 shots and delivered the Lakers a victory they had to have on this eight-game road trip. Afterward he met the Grandstaffs in the locker room, greeting little Kobe with a ``What's up, sir?''

``I've heard of a few,'' Bryant said when asked about fans naming their kids after him. ``I've never seen one quite that old before. Father time, I guess. It's very humbling.''

Tandy Grandstaff, the boy's mother, told Bryant, ``You made our life.''

Bryant also carried the night for the Lakers, who swept the Hawks for the first time since 1999-2000 and held a team to fewer than 90 points for the first time since Dec. 4.

He returned with 8:10 remaining and the Lakers holding a 68-65 lead, which could have been even smaller had Atlanta's Josh Childress not missed two free throws.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson thought Bryant finished the third quarter with tired legs and rested him to start the fourth. The first time he touched the ball after returning, Bryant started a memorable roll by hitting a 19-footer over Joe Johnson.

He connected on two more jumpers, including a 3-pointer from the corner with the 24-second clock expiring. With the crowd on its feet, Bryant then answered a 3-pointer by Johnson with a shot straight out of his highlight films.

With Johnson and Speedy Claxton trying everything to stop him, Bryant buried an 18-footer on the move to put the Lakers ahead 77-71 with 5:07 remaining. He wagged his finger all the way downcourt and to the bench as the Hawks called timeout.

``It's swagger,'' Bryant said. ``That comes from the playground. That's playing at the park, having fun. People watching the game ... they're part of it, so you want to bring them along with the ride as well and have a good time with them.''

He finished the fourth quarter with 11 points and made the biggest pass of the game as well. Bryant rose for a jumper over two defenders but fired the ball at the last second to Smush Parker in the corner.

``I've learned while playing with Kobe to expect the unexpected,'' Parker said.

Not only had he missed all six shots he had taken, Parker had been involved in an ugly incident with a minute left in the second quarter. After he was called for a charging foul, Parker had to be restrained by Bryant from going after referee Eric Lewis.

``It's an emotional game for me, I guess,'' Parker said. ``I let a lot of things build up and that just put me over the top. I felt it was a bad call and I wasn't able to control myself.''

Jackson deadpanned that he could have benched Parker the rest of the night but ``gave him a second chance because I have a kind heart.''

Sure enough, Parker hit the 3-pointer to put the Lakers ahead 80-72.

``I think it shows trust,'' Bryant said. ``I think he acknowledges that. He sees that I'll continue to come to him and continue to have confidence in him to make the right decisions. I think when you do that, it can only help carry your team a long way.''

Parker finished with three points on 1-for-8 shooting but had six steals. Lamar Odom also endured a tough shooting night (4 of 17) but filled the box score with 15 points, 18 rebounds and six assists.

Johnson led Atlanta with 27 points.

The Lakers shot 42.7 percent, committed 17 turnovers and improved to 3-2 on this trip. Jackson joked afterward that the Lakers took Super Bowl Monday off, something they can't afford with games left at Detroit, Toronto and Cleveland.

There was one other matter. With 28.8 seconds remaining and the Lakers in front 86-78, teenage center Andrew Bynum (14 points, 10 rebounds) inexplicably launched a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left on the shot clock.

Jackson immediately sent Ronny Turiaf for Bynum and said the 19-year-old had earned an automatic $50 fine.

Bynum, who has attempted only one other 3-pointer in his career, jokingly said, ``I'm going to pay it in pennies.''

``Those are things I don't want to see,'' Jackson said.

The Grandstaffs, meanwhile, were left with memories to last a lifetime. They were given the tickets as a Christmas present, then wound up telling their family's story. It must be noted that their son plays for a certain purple-and-gold team in pre-Kindergarten.

``It's the best feeling in the word because he's old enough to react to what's happening,'' Tim Grandstaff said. ``He's excited with me during the game. We high-five each other. It's a great moment.''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Kobe Bryant shoots over Atlanta's Speedy Claxton during the first quarter of Monday's game. Bryant had 27 points in L.A.'s victory.

Gregory Smith/Associated Press

(2) The Lakers' Lamar Odom, left, and Vladimir Radmanovic double-team Atlanta's Josh Childress during the first half Monday.

Jenni Girtman/Associated Press