King appoints Khalid Al-Abdulkarim new secretary general of Cabinet    Family Affairs Council leads Saudi delegation at G20 women's empowerment meetings in Brazil    Public Prosecution: 8,000 out of 15,500 family dispute cases settled amicably    Riyadh hosting CIPS MENA conference on procurement, supply chains    Saudi Arabia launches 'groundbreaking' project to protect ecosystems in Arabian Gulf    Response 14: Saudi Arabia conducts mock drill to combat marine oil spills    Two killed in New Caledonia as riots escalate after Paris vote    Fahd Al-Qunun continues to elevate the customer experience through unique cashback initiative Innovative program from premium Saudi honey producer reinforces commitment to customer satisfaction and loyalty    Saudi and Australian chief justices discuss judicial cooperation    Indian spices face heat over global safety concerns    Blinken reiterates US arms will help Ukraine as it reels from latest Russian attack    Nadhmi Al-Nasr: 140,000 workers involved in NEOM projects around the clock    ZATCA sets SR3000 maximum duty-free purchase limit for incoming passenger    Glioblastoma: Top Australian doctor remains brain cancer-free after a year    Introducing Zilos: A luxury Culinary Oasis of Mediterranean and Asian Fusion in Jeddah    Al Hilal wraps up Saudi League title; Jesus touts season as model of excellence    Neymar celebrates Al Hilal's title win, eager for comeback next season    Al Hilal clinches Saudi Professional League title in a star-studded season    Saudi authorities recall contaminated mayonnaise after food poisoning incident at Riyadh restaurant    Al Ettifaq inflicts historic 5-0 defeat on Al Ittihad in Saudi Professional League    JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over hate crime law    Trump's Bible endorsement raises concern in Christian religious circles    Hollywood icon Will Smith shares his profound admiration for Holy Qur'an    We have celebrated Founding Day for three years - but it has been with us for 300    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Bryant and Lakers crush Magic
By Steve Ginsburg
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 06 - 06 - 2009

Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers produced a dazzling display at both ends of the floor to crush the Orlando Magic 100-75 in the opening game of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
Bryant scored 40 points and had eight assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers, seeking their first title since 2002.
Last year's league MVP scored 18 points in the third quarter when the Lakers turned a 10-point half-time lead into an 82-58 blowout with a quarter to play.
Bryant displayed emotion rarely seen during his 13-year career, perhaps wanting to prove to LeBron James that he is not yet ready to cede the title as the NBA's best player.
“I just want it really bad,” a jubilant Bryant told reporters. “You just put everything you have into the game and your emotions kind of flow out of you.
“I feel great. This is the best I've felt late in the season in my whole career. I feel outstanding.”
The 30-year-old, 11-time All-Star hit 16 of 34 shots, scoring a career high in the NBA Finals. He weaved through the lane for acrobatic lay-ups, nailed pull-up jumpers, and dribbled by team mates' picks for open shots.
“Offensively he was amazing,” said Lakers forward Lamar Odom, who had 11 points and 14 rebounds. “Defensively, as well. When he gets it going, he's one of the best players of all time.”
Los Angeles shot 46 percent from the floor but it was their suffocating defense that was key to the dominating win.
The Lakers double and triple-teamed Dwight Howard, limiting the All-Star center to 12 points, on just one of six shooting. When he kicked the ball outside, his teammates misfired. “Tonight was just an off night. As a team we only made 23 shots and Kobe made 16 by himself,” said Howard. “We've never had a shooting night this bad.”
“We came out flat. That's the biggest thing. We may lose games because we miss shots, but when our energy is as low as it was, we can't win.”
Orlando shot just 29.9 percent from the floor, including eight of 23 from beyond the arc, and were out-rebounded 55-41.
“It's pretty hard to find a champion who hasn't at some point in their playoff run gotten their butts beat by 20 plus,” said Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy. “San Antonio did it every year in their playoff runs. The margin, it's disappointing, but it's still one win for them. They don't get two for it.”
The Magic stopped the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals by consistently hitting outside shot but their bombers were silenced by the Lakers' pressure defense.
“Things just didn't go right for them tonight,” said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who is shooting for his record 10th title as a coach. “The first half was nip and tuck right up until the end of the second quarter. We were able to come out and play with a different type of an attitude the second half.”
Jackson reminded his team they still need to win Sunday's game two to maintain the homecourt advantage in the best-of-seven affair.
“I told these guys it doesn't matter whether we win by 60 or six in this game,” said Jackson. “It's just one win.”


Clic here to read the story from its source.