LAKERS ACHIEVE HARMONY IN VICTORY BRYANT HAS THE GAME JACKSON WANTS TO SEE LAKERS 110, MEMPHIS 94.Byline: Howard Beck 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. usually figures these things "These Things" is an EP by She Wants Revenge, released in 2005 by Perfect Kiss, a subsidiary of Geffen Records. Music Video The music video stars Shirley Manson, lead singer of the band Garbage. Track Listing 1. "These Things [Radio Edit]" - 3:17 2. out before anyone else, fitting the jagged-edged pieces of his game and his head together while everyone else, his coach included, watches and wonders and waits for the moment it all makes sense. Only Bryant, who rarely offers any insight into his own psyche - not to teammates or coaches, much less the public - knows for certain what drives him to score 55 points one night and 14 the next, and so the Lakers must settle for the now-standard explanation: Don't worry, I'm working on it. It has been Bryant's rallying cry Noun 1. rallying cry - a slogan used to rally support for a cause; "a cry to arms"; "our watchword will be `democracy'" war cry, watchword, battle cry, cry catchword, motto, shibboleth, slogan - a favorite saying of a sect or political group 2. for much of the last month as he tries to regain his rhythm as a playmaker play·mak·er n. A player in a sport with goals, such as a guard in basketball, who initiates offensive plays. play first and scorer second, the better to fit his game around the rejuvenated re·ju·ve·nate tr.v. re·ju·ve·nat·ed, re·ju·ve·nat·ing, re·ju·ve·nates 1. To restore to youthful vigor or appearance; make young again. 2. Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). . The results are uneven, and sometimes baffling baf·fle tr.v. baf·fled, baf·fling, baf·fles 1. To frustrate or check (a person) as by confusing or perplexing; stymie. 2. To impede the force or movement of. n. 1. to coach Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson (born September 17, 1945 in Deer Lodge, Montana) is the current coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, an American professional basketball team. , but Bryant seemed to have everything in order Monday night as the Lakers fended off the Memphis Grizzlies 110-94 at Staples Center. Jackson was surprisingly at a loss for explanations after Bryant scored just 14 points in Sunday night's loss at Seattle, a game in which Bryant appeared unwilling to attack. Two nights earlier, he had burned the record books in a victory over Washington. So Jackson, and then Bryant, expended a lot of oxygen before Monday's game trying to assure reporters nothing serious was amiss. Relationships are OK. Strategy is OK. Karma karma or karman (kär`mə, kär`mən), [Skt.,=action, work, or ritual], basic concept common to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. , fine. Once on the court, Bryant displayed perfect balance. He deftly set the table for O'Neal, kept his teammates involved and did plenty of damage himself by the final buzzer: 29 points, eight assists, five rebounds and a career-high tying six steals. It was the sort of balanced effort the Lakers have sought and Bryant has worked toward. ``It's building,'' he said. ``Tonight was a prime example of that, getting everybody involved. I think you guys can see the difference, me being in attack mode, as opposed to being in a playmaker role. ``I don't worry about me, man. I could seriously go zero-zero-zero across the board,'' Bryant said. ``As long as we win the game, I'm fine with it. Obviously, I have to contribute a little bit for us to be somewhat successful. But I was happy with the way things went tonight. We played well as a team.'' The Lakers won their 11th consecutive home game, matching their best streak from last season, and pulled within a half-game of idle Utah for the sixth seed in the West. O'Neal had 21 points by halftime, the Lakers had a 14-point lead and the game was never in doubt, despite some shaky moments in the third quarter. ``I almost thought we were going to limit them to less than 90 points,'' Jackson said, ``but we got a little bit soft at the end of the game.'' Former Lakers executive Jerry West, now the Grizzlies' chief basketball mind, was in town but skipped the game, and he saved himself some aggravation. The Grizzlies The name Grizzlies may refer to:
Lorenzen Wright took the early brunt of O'Neal's aggression and showed the frustration with two quick fouls and some choice words for the referees. O'Neal finished with 34 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, the Lakers shot 53.4 percent from the field, and the Grizzlies left with the same curiosity everyone else has about the defending champions. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. why they keep playing with everybody, playing around,'' Wright said. ``When they come to play, they can beat anybody. I guess they're just saving it for the playoffs.'' Pau Gasol led the Grizzlies with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Wesley Person added 20 points. With eight games left to play, and April upon them, the Lakers are trying to regain their playoff form in a hurry. Jackson reminded them recently of the eight-game winning streak they used to close out the 2000-01 season. They were similarly disjointed that year until the final kick, which spurred an incredible championship run that began with 11 consecutive playoff victories. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: (color) Kobe Bryant showed balance in his game by recording 29 points and eight assists Monday. Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer Box: GAME RECAP |
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