“Free-throw defense” keyed the Lakers down to the wire victory in a game that they once led by 18. Rockets star Tracy McGrady left the game in the second quarter as the Lakers had a huge lead… and then the wheels fell off. Ya it was that weird a game. A strange game according to Phil Jackson.
Solid defense allowed the Lakers to sustain a 32-point second half (they scored 36 in the second quarter alone) with Kobe leading the way on the defensive end.
A few minutes later Bryant (30 points) was quick to remind a questioner that he has seven All-Defensive decorations to prove his worth on that end of the court. But his commitment to defense so far has undoubtedly been greater than in past seasons, perhaps carrying over from his defensive efforts for Team USA over the summer.
“It’s a thing that’s carried over for our team,” Bryant said. “They see me playing this hard defensively in practice, doing the same things, and I think it’s been rubbing off.”
Earlier in the day came the backlash from Phil Jackson’s off color comments after Tuesday night’s loss to the Spurs regarding the movie “Brokeback Mountain”. Jackson won’t be fined by the league, but was publicly reprimanded by NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre,
The remarks are in poor taste, and the Lakers have assured us such remarks will not occur in the future
Jackson appeared on TV later in the day and aggred that his comments were a bad attempt at humor. Jackson, who has a long history of getting fined by the league for his comments, got off this time.
