Lakers Feel Reborn; What About Suns?

Twenty-four hours came and went. The Lakers still couldn’t exhale.

Kobe Bryant had rushed to meet up with his wife at the hospital, Smush Parker grappled with the 36 text messages and dozens of voice mails that lit up his cellphone, and the team as a whole attempted, emphasis on attempted, to downplay a possible series with the Clippers.

Bryant had the busiest time of anyone Laker-related, running to an undisclosed Orange County hospital to meet up with his wife, Vanessa, within hours after hitting two shots that were already budding on legendary. Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant was born Monday at 2:03 a.m.

Bryant did not practice Monday and was not available for comment but will play tonight in Game 5, when the Lakers could put the final, stunning touches on the Phoenix Suns.

They were thrust into a 3-1 first-round series lead with remarkable plays by Bryant, Parker and Luke Walton on Sunday. Other efforts were almost overshadowed as the purple-and-gold confetti fell and Staples Center glowed once again.

Lamar Odom continued to stick to Shawn Marion and even guarded Steve Nash on some plays, a 6-foot-11 forward holding his own with a 6-3 guard. He is averaging 20.5 points in the series and was second among all NBA players with an average of 11.5 rebounds through four playoff games.

Devean George, an unrestricted free agent whose Laker career might end when their playoff run does, hit three three-pointers in the fourth quarter, perhaps providing an underscored part in the final paragraph of a seven-season synopsis with the franchise.

Sasha Vujacic, the team’s 10th-leading scorer during the regular season, kept delivering from three-point range, his four-game total now standing at eight for 11 (72.7%).

With so much going so flawlessly, it’s almost easy to forget the Lakers still have to win a game.

“It’s going to be tough,” Odom said. “No one wants to lose a playoff game on your home court, especially the playoff game that ended the series. We can’t get stuck on talking about [Sunday’s] game. We can’t forget what we need to do to win games. The series is not over. Teams can come back from 3-1 to win a series.”

Seven teams have done that in NBA history, and Laker Coach Phil Jackson served up an ominous reminder about peeking into the next round -- “One win just sets this thing right on edge again,” he said -- but Odom fielded a stream of questions about possibly playing his former team.

“It’d be great for the city, of course,” Odom said. “I’m pretty sure the L.A. sports fans would love it. Of course it would be interesting to play in a game like that, but, just another team that I have to prepare for.

“I’m pretty sure for them it’s special and they’re probably looking forward to it. They had a great year this year and they deserve all the success. They work hard, Elton Brand and Corey [Maggette]. I’m pretty sure it will be an intense basketball game.”

The Suns, meanwhile, tried to forget the interruption of an otherwise effervescent season, playing poker on their return flight home and picking up a small consolation when Boris Diaw was named the league’s most improved player.

Still, Coach Mike D’Antoni called Game 4 the worst thing to happen to him in a long basketball career.

“Yes, by far. Not even close,” he said. “I’m 54, so, played basketball since I was 8 years old, so 46 years, that was the worst. You don’t get over that one, guys. I don’t care how much you get paid, what we’re doing, I’m sending my resume to be an accountant or a lawyer or something else, because that one hurt. That one takes the wind out of your sails.

“Just the way it went down to bad luck. One thing after another, one of the worst experiences ever. And then the joy that you have that you came back, like, let me put that candy in front of you and take it away again.”

Nash shouldered some blame for two costly turnovers but vowed to recover by tonight.

“It’s a tough loss and I take a lot of responsibility for it but I feel good,” he said. “I feel like this is what it’s all about. It’s a great game. One day you make mistakes that hurt and it costs you a lot of sleep and costs your teammates a lot, and the next day you have a chance to make up for it. ... I’ll be back out here and ready and fired up.”

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Jackson said he did not think Bryant’s play would be affected despite the activity surrounding a newborn. “There’s a huge emotional feeling about having a child that’s just beyond belief,” Jackson said. “After a game like he had yesterday, I told his people I’m surprised he didn’t name his child Victoria because this had to be one special day for this kid. We’re happy for him. The timing’s right, he’ll have some rest, but I’m sure it’s not easy to sleep after all those things happen.” ... In the voting for the league’s most improved player, Parker tied for 14th with two second-place votes and two third-place votes. Bryant tied for 23rd, receiving a third-place vote.

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Magnificent Seven

Only seven teams have rebounded from a 3-1 deficit to win a best-of-seven NBA playoff series:

*--* YEAR TEAM OPPONENT ROUND 2003 DETROIT Orlando First round 1997 MIAMI New York Conf. semis 1995 HOUSTON Phoenix Conf. semis 1981 BOSTON Philadelphia Conf. finals 1979 WASH. San Antonio Conf. finals 1970 LAKERS Phoenix Div. semis 1968 BOSTON Philadelphia Div. finals

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