Lakers Suns Preview
The Phoenix Suns expect to see a more aggressive Kobe Bryant after a strong defensive effort against the Los Angeles Lakers superstar in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series. The NBA's scoring champion, though, says he won't change his style of play.
Bryant will again try to get his teammates involved more as Los Angeles looks to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole.
Bryant averaged 42.5 points in four games against the Suns in the regular season, but the Lakers lost three of those contests. The Lakers decided to change their game plan for the opener of this series, and Bryant took only 21 shots, but Los Angeles still lost 107-102 on Sunday.
Bryant made seven of those attempts and finished with 22 points, well below his league-best average of 35.4 per game during the regular season.
``I wasn't really looking to attack. I think there are a lot of things we can take advantage of and tonight we did that,'' Bryant said. ``It kept us in the ballgame and we had them right where we wanted them, but a couple of bounces didn't go our way.
``It's just a matter of finding that groove, really. We know this is the way we want to play.''
All five starters scored in double figures for the Lakers for just the fourth time this season and first since Dec. 23.
``We can play a little bit. Today was a good all-around game,'' Bryant said. ``So, it's just a matter of us keeping it going and being ready to fight on Wednesday.''
Bryant said he will do whatever it takes to win.
``I listen to the big guy,'' he said, gesturing toward coach Phil Jackson. ``That's who I play for. If he says go out there and shoot the ball 50 times, that's what I'm going to do. I just follow his orders, follow his lead, and try to play the way he wants me to play, to the best of my ability.''
Phoenix's plan was to trap Bryant in Game 1, and Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said his team probably won't change its philosophy Wednesday.
``He's kind of special and he needs special attention,'' D'Antoni said. ``Worked (Sunday), we will see if it works next game. You have to try something, you can't just let him play because he is just too good. You've got to get lucky some time and we got lucky with him.''
Tim Thomas led the way for Phoenix in Game 1, scoring 22 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Thomas also admitted to whacking Bryant on the head to force a turnover with the Suns holding a late four-point lead.
``I definitely fouled him,'' Thomas said. ``I got away with one, but I didn't do it intentionally. It wasn't like I threw a jab at him.''
Jackson, who lost a Game 1 for the first time in his career, was surprised at the no call.
``Kobe going baseline in a four-point game. It's difficult,'' Jackson said. ``I don't feel like we missed an opportunity. We'll have better opportunities as we go along. We're figuring out how to play against them.''
Game 3 is Friday in Los Angeles.
Bryant will again try to get his teammates involved more as Los Angeles looks to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole.
Bryant averaged 42.5 points in four games against the Suns in the regular season, but the Lakers lost three of those contests. The Lakers decided to change their game plan for the opener of this series, and Bryant took only 21 shots, but Los Angeles still lost 107-102 on Sunday.
Bryant made seven of those attempts and finished with 22 points, well below his league-best average of 35.4 per game during the regular season.
``I wasn't really looking to attack. I think there are a lot of things we can take advantage of and tonight we did that,'' Bryant said. ``It kept us in the ballgame and we had them right where we wanted them, but a couple of bounces didn't go our way.
``It's just a matter of finding that groove, really. We know this is the way we want to play.''
All five starters scored in double figures for the Lakers for just the fourth time this season and first since Dec. 23.
``We can play a little bit. Today was a good all-around game,'' Bryant said. ``So, it's just a matter of us keeping it going and being ready to fight on Wednesday.''
Bryant said he will do whatever it takes to win.
``I listen to the big guy,'' he said, gesturing toward coach Phil Jackson. ``That's who I play for. If he says go out there and shoot the ball 50 times, that's what I'm going to do. I just follow his orders, follow his lead, and try to play the way he wants me to play, to the best of my ability.''
Phoenix's plan was to trap Bryant in Game 1, and Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said his team probably won't change its philosophy Wednesday.
``He's kind of special and he needs special attention,'' D'Antoni said. ``Worked (Sunday), we will see if it works next game. You have to try something, you can't just let him play because he is just too good. You've got to get lucky some time and we got lucky with him.''
Tim Thomas led the way for Phoenix in Game 1, scoring 22 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Thomas also admitted to whacking Bryant on the head to force a turnover with the Suns holding a late four-point lead.
``I definitely fouled him,'' Thomas said. ``I got away with one, but I didn't do it intentionally. It wasn't like I threw a jab at him.''
Jackson, who lost a Game 1 for the first time in his career, was surprised at the no call.
``Kobe going baseline in a four-point game. It's difficult,'' Jackson said. ``I don't feel like we missed an opportunity. We'll have better opportunities as we go along. We're figuring out how to play against them.''
Game 3 is Friday in Los Angeles.
posted by LA Lakers Season @ 1:50 PM
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