Bryant Passes ... on a Shot at History

I think what Phil Jackson did with Kobe Bryant in keeping him benched that last quarter against the Mavericks is a mortal sin.

All he had to do was send him back in, tell the other four stiffs to just give him the ball and Kobe would have scored at least 101.

Think Alex Hannum pulled the Dipper when he got to 99?

BILL BELL

Mar Vista

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I saw Kobe get his 62 and it was a night to remember. If Kobe is shooting around 50%, he can go for 50, or 60, or 75 -- it’s fine with me (and probably with Phil Jackson as well).

But in response to T.J. Simers, do I watch Laker games hoping for layups by Kwame Brown on assists from Kobe? Well, yes -- because when Kwame starts getting 12 or 15 a night, the Lakers could go deep into the playoffs. But if Kobe shoots 30% while driving into triple-teams, that would take the Lakers only deep into the lottery.

If Mr. Simers has any questions about how this works, he could speak with that Earvin Johnson fellow, who provided plenty of entertainment -- magic, you could say -- by passing the ball and collecting rings.

JIM CULNAN

La Crescenta

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Just great, J.A. Adande. Just when Kobe seemed to realize that basketball is a team game, you have to write an article focusing on Kobe’s greatest hits. You mentioned that in text messages, e-mails, etc., only one word was needed -- “Kobe.” The word my friends and I used more than that was “selfish.”

The main thing I noticed was the fact he didn’t pass the ball to one teammate for a basket. He had zero assists in the game. He is obviously a brilliant player but seems to forget it is a team game. The Lakers have played much better lately with him taking fewer shots, but this article will again boost his oversized ego into more losses.

STEVE OWEN

Solana Beach

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Kobe Bryant is having a career year, the Lakers are starting to win again and the fans are returning. Does anyone think Phil Jackson has anything to do with that?

FRED FERKETIC

Newport Beach