| Bulls Best Lakers Authored by Scott Essman - November 21, 2005 - 12:41 am
It wasn’t exactly Michael vs. Magic, but the Bulls and Lakers went toe-to-toe on Sunday night in Los Angeles, with the Bulls prevailing 96-93 despite two late three-point attempts by Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, respectively.
Though Bryant scored 43 points, his second game in the last three with at least 40, he received little help elsewhere. Center Chris Mihm scored 13 points in 30 minutes, but no other Laker had as much as 10 points.
Meanwhile, the Bulls were helped by four scorers with at least 10 points, led by 23-year-old point guard Chris Duhon and his 21 points. Power forward Mike Sweetney added 20 points and 12 rebounds, and LA native Tyson Chandler grabbed 15 additional rebounds.
Lately, in Laker losses, it seems too great a burden is being put on Bryant to score. It’s as if coach Phil Jackson has no clear alternatives to Jackson in his offensive scheme. At one crucial period late in the fourth quarter, the Lakers were even trying to score with the recently-turned-18-years-old center Andrew Bynum. The 7’0” rookie might eventually become a key figure, but he seemed lost on the court with time running down and missed a key conversion that would have put the Lakers ahead.
Unfortunately for Laker fans, many such games might be in their near future. Certainly, Bryant is brilliant, and there are flashes of greatness on the home court, but the Lakers seem vulnerable in many areas. With center Kwame Brown injured and out for possibly two weeks, Mihm and Odom are going to need to provide necessary leadership in the paint. From where the Lakers will get other key contributors remains unclear. |
