The Lakers' first game...

[[Q]]

I stayed up last night to watch the Lakers live from Hawai'i at 11 p.m.!
Of course, GP dominated with about 12 points and 7 assists. The Lakers looked good, now that Shaq doesn't ballhog when Kobe's out. Speking of which, Kobe did not play, but the Lakers don't need him.

As for Kobe's situation, I think that everyone agree that he got caught "with his hand in the cookie jar"... (R.I.P Chick Hearn)

Hey did anybody else in the LA area catch that game?

[.]

Kobe did not play, but the Lakers don't need him.

well....without him they still will win games, but he is part of the team and the most skilled player. I agree that they dont need him to win games, but they need him to close out games, stop the other 2-guards in the NBA with his defenisive quallity. So....dont need him is a bit to tough to say.

[thaKEAF]

What did Shaq do?

[BMG]

i seent it yo
the lakers looked aight but i wanna see Kobe ballin wit the new squad
i hear him and GP had some good chemistry in practice.
Shaq came alive in the 3rd quarter and even Medvadenko was ballin pretty good,the lakers have alot of options this year.
they play again tonight at 9

[Full Surface]

They don't need Kobe to win certain games against easy opponents but he's needed there for his defense and offensive skill, such as his 3 point shooting, outrageous dunks, and his ability to make unbelievable shots (game-winning shots at that). I'd say he's one of the top 3 overall best players in the league that has what it takes to become a premier shooting guard. Other players in that rank today would be Tracy McGrady and quite possibly Vince Carter.

[Fresh8]

No...the LAkers don't really need Kobe...short term- they need him long-term and if he's gonna play wit this squad he'll be getting even more experience...cause he's playin' with great players...

I guess the Lakers didn't need Bryant to win but against better teams...they'll need him to complete the 'puzzle' so that they can dominate!

[Robby]

LA can win the championship without Bryant but with Kobe, they can destroy all teams.

[Jowe]

You shouldn't read too much into these games, since its still preseason,
but during the season, u must have a good sg if u want to be at the top of the league like for the reasons others said offence and defence..
if bryant wasn't there who would play the sg spot? and Payton would guard the elite sg's in the league which would wear him down in the latter of the season.