I-Light Media
Atlanta Hawks vs LA Lakers
Images
Images:
Author Details
- Jason McDonald
Kobe's Lift Spoils Hawks Opener
By: Jason McDonald
A star studded celebrity crowd watched a visibly stone-faced Kobe Bryant put on his hard hat and go to work on the new look Atlanta Hawks in the home opener. In their only visit to Atlanta the Lakers made it count defeating the Hawks 103-97.
Sporting black tights and some garish burnt gold patterned sneakers Bryant's appearance drew barbs and quizzical looks from the Philips Arena crowd. Bryant's 37 points and five assists more than paid the fine from the fashion police.
Off-season acquisition Smush Parker supplemented Bryant's performance tossing in 21 points in full service as the new director of the Lakers triangle offense.
The new look Atlanta Hawks didn't put up much resistance defensively. Kobe and crew outscored the Hawks in the paint on a variety of uncontested lay-ups and alley-oop dunks. Tyronn Lue's flagrant foul on Parker's lay up attempt in the 4th was the most physical play from a Hawk in the paint all night. "I bet we gave up 20 lay ups to this team tonight and you're not going to beat a team in this league like that" acknowledged Hawks head coach Mike Woodson.
New Hawk Joe Johnson introduced himself to the Atlanta fans in fine fashion. The free agent signee led all Hawks with 26 points and 4 assists. Johnson displayed better than average defense on Bryant in spot match-up situations. Coach Woodson was pleased with Johnson's defensive effort on Bryant. "I didn't start him on Kobe but I think he played Kobe extremely well when matched up with him" said Woodson.
Play off the bench favored the visiting Lakers. Devean George and Brian Cook came off the bench with a lot of energy and productivity. George logged more minutes than starting center Chris Mihm and newly acquired forward Kwame Brown.
On a brighter note the Hawks were better than or equal to the Lakers in three of the four quarters. Defensive lapses in the third quarter allowed the visitors a double digit lead that they were able to maintain until the final minute and a half.
The Hawks get a much improved Los Angeles Clippers team on Thursday night. On their first road trip of the season the Hawks fell to the Clippers 92-77. "We'll see what we're made of now that they're back in our place" propounded Woodson.