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Lakers Better When Kobe Doesn't Score?

Authored by Scott Essman - November 30, 2007 - 1:24 pm

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Are you kidding me? With the powerful Denver Nuggets visiting Los Angeles sporting the tandem of Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson, one figured the Lakers to lose this contest, and probably not in a close way.

But the 2007-2008 Lakers might have more heart than most people considered. Even with Anthony making 11-15 shots for 23 points and Iverson adding 21, the Lakers persevered. The Nuggets shoot 44%? No problem! The Lakers shot 50%. That's right - they made half of their shots tonight, killing the Nuggets 127-99. Who knew?

Yes, Kobe Bryant led the team in scoring with 24 points, but he did not make a three-point goal and did not even match his season average. So what? On this night, it wasn't necessary for the 28-point margin of victory. A whopping seven Lakers scored in double figures in the game.

Off the bench, Sasha Vujacic contributed 22, while Jordan Farmer (10) and Luke Walton (14) each came up big. In the starting lineup, center Andrew Bynum kept up his recently hot pace with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Lamar Odom (12) and Derek Fisher (10) also provided key support. On this particular night, all of the Lakers were on fire.

With both teams scoring often, the Nuggets actually had the halftime lead, 57-55. By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers had a six-point lead. But the fourth quarter was like the 1980s and "Showtime" all over again. The Lakers scored an amazing 46 points and had the Nuggets all but blown out midway through the quarter.

Perhaps, now at 9-6 through their first 15, the new Lakers will find ways to win all through the season.

Perhaps, sensing rumored impending changes, everyone is finally playing like it could be his last game.

Perhaps, when all is said and done, these Lakers are more than just Kobe's team.