| Lakers Embarass Knicks At The Garden Authored by Scott Essman - February 1, 2006 - 5:46 pm
Laker guard Kobe Bryant was off of his January pace in the last game of the month, one which should surely bring him NBA Player of the Month honors. In New York, he showed up in a fur coat and only scored 40 points on 7-17 shooting but with an amazing 23-26 free throws as the Lakers beat the host Knicks 130-97.
Bryant averaged 43.4 points-per-game in the month of January, and has averaged 36 ppg for the season. Five other Lakers scored in double-figures en route to the rout. The 130 points were the most that a Laker team has scored in six seasons.
The Lakers, who are a young nascent team, were too much for the Knicks, who appeared to be a young but green team. With several promising youngsters, the Knicks, should they keep this lineup together a few seasons, could be a team of the future with whom other challengers will have to contend.
Near the end of the game, the contingent of Lakers fan at Madison Square Garden began an 'MVP' chant. It is hard to argue with that fact as Kobe has become the number one attraction in the NBA. Part-owner of the Nets, Shawn Carter was in attendance at the Garden, despite the fact that the Pistons were playing across the Hudson at the same time, a game in which the Nets gave Detroit just their six loss of the game.
This frenzy surrounding Kobe will trail the club throughout the season, waiting for what's next. |
