SMUSH HIT FOR LAKERS SCORES 18 POINTS IN 3RD; L.A. WINS LAKERS 106, ORLANDO 93.Byline: ROSS SILER Staff Writer ORLANDO, Fla. -- Even if the Lakers have not determined how long Lamar Odom Lamar Joseph Odom (born November 6 1979, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays power forward (also plays both forward spots and is a "point-forward") for the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Lakers. will be out with a knee injury, 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. said before Wednesday's game that he can live with the uncertainty for one important reason. ``We kind of like it, in fact, to see if someone can develop in this process while Lamar's out,'' Jackson said. ``If we can get a player to step up and compete and play another step above his game, that'd be really helpful.'' That player was guard Smush Parker William Henry "Smush" Parker (born June 1 1981, in New York, New York) is an American professional basketball player, currently with the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association.[1] Parker played shooting guard in college, but moved to point guard in the NBA. in the Lakers' 106-93 victory Wednesday night over the Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). History Early years The Orlando Magic officially entered the NBA as an expansion franchise in 1989. . Parker scored 18 of his season-high 20points in the third quarter as the Lakers went from eightpoints down to six ahead. It was a sensational quarter for Parker, who had only twopoints while playing nineminutes in the first half. When Jackson brought back his starters to finish the second quarter, Parker sat while Sasha Vujacic played ahead of him. ``With Smush Smush was an American game show which aired on the USA Network in 2001.[1] Smush was hosted by Ken Ober and co-hosted by Lisa Dergan[1]. The show, set in a basement party atmosphere, featured four contestants trying to "smush" the answers to clues , it's just a confidence issue,'' 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. said. ``I'm on him all the time, if he misses two or three in a row, sometimes he gets a little timid. I tell him, `Look you've got to shoot the ball. You can't be worried about the next one not going in. If you don't want to shoot it, be aggressive, attack the basket. If they cut you off, make the play for somebody else.''' Parker didn't lack aggressiveness or confidence in the third quarter. He made 7 of 8 shots, including two 3-pointers, and got two of his points off a breakaway dunk after stripping Jameer Nelson Jameer Nelson (born February 9, 1982 in Chester, Pennsylvania) is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. He is most famous for being one of the most popular stars of men's college basketball in the early 2000s, representing Saint Joseph's just past the halfcourt line. After the game, Parker credited a one-on-one game against assistant coach 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. in warm-ups with getting him ready. But Orlando coach Brian Hill wasn't giving any credit to the player who has started the Lakers' past 111 games. ``We can't be giving the Smush Parkers of the league quarters like that,'' Hill said. ``If it's Kobe, it's different.'' The Lakers (19-10) rebounded from a beyond-disappointing loss to Miami on Christmas and ensured that they will return home from this six-game trip with the split Jackson wanted when they set out. Bryant finished with 27points on 8-of-22 shooting and had seven assists. The Lakers got production from their two centers, as Kwame Brown totaled 10 points and Andrew Bynum Andrew Bynum (born October 27 1987, in Plainsboro, New Jersey) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Bynum is listed as 7'0" and 285 lbs and plays center. had 13, as well as from Vujacic on defense in the second quarter. It was Parker, however, who carried the Lakers in the third. Bryant missed all three shots he took in the quarter, but Parker came through by knocking down a 3-pointer and a 19-footer as Bryant moved the ball to him. ``We just ran the offense,'' Parker said. ``We executed the offense. ``I got open looks and I was able to put it down.'' The Lakers hope that Parker will build off the game. He wandered through the first weeks of the season, admitting, ``I don't have my mojo right now.'' Jackson said Parker has been ``concerned about some things,'' namely his 3-point shooting and inability to get easy baskets off steals this season. Parker also has been battling an injury to his right shoulder. The final play of the third quarter told the story of the night. With two defenders in his vicinity, Bryant drove and fired a pass to Parker across the floor. Parker passed on his shot and slid the ball to Brian Cook For other persons named Brian Cook, see Brian Cook (disambiguation). Brian Joshua Cook (born December 4, 1980 in Lincoln, Illinois) is a power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. for a corner 3-pointer that put the Lakers up 79-73. The Lakers trailed by as many as 12 points in the second quarter, but went into halftime down 47-46. Vujacic came up with two steals and knocked down a 3-pointer, and Jackson opted to leave him in to finish the half instead of Parker. Jackson, however, made a point of encouraging Parker at halftime. ``We just talked about guys filling the gap that's needed as a general group,'' Jackson said. ``I didn't say specifically to anybody, but I did tell Smush at halftime to get back out there because he didn't go back in the second rotation in the second period.'' ross.siler@dailynews.com (818) 713-3610 CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, drives past Orlando forward Trevor Ariza Trevor Anthony Ariza (born June 30 1985 in Miami, Florida) is an American professional basketball player in the NBA for the Orlando Magic. After a college career at UCLA, Ariza was a second round draft choice (43rd overall) of the New York Knicks in the 2004 NBA Draft. . Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press |
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