The Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of making a playoff push and have shown what their capable of in recent games. All-Stars Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard seem to have finally found some chemistry playing alongside each other, as they continue to give a glimpse of things to come as teammates.
The Lakers are fresh off a win against the New Orleans Hornets, a game in which that featured the Lakers making a tremendous 25-point comeback to win the game in regulation. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLA, Bryant had the following to say about the one-two punch they've established
"We really complemented each other extremely well and played to each other's strengths," Bryant said after finishing with 42 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. "I directed us offensively tonight, and he did his thing defensively."
The Kobe/Dwight two-man game, which worked very successfully last night, allowed their teammates to get open looks. Enter Jodie Meeks and his 19 crucial points. Kobe shared:
"Honestly, I was thinking I need to bring my teammates along with me," Bryant said. "So I just kept telling myself at halftime, 'I got to bring them with me.' ... Because I was getting to the rim at the end of the first half and I knew I could score any time I wanted to, but I said, 'I got to bring them along with me.' I got to force the game upon them and hope that turns the tide."
While Meeks' contribution on both ends of the floor were essential to the comeback, the display of we saw out of Bryant and Howard and the two-man game (i.e. high screen plays) were a focal point that fans will remember last night. Kobe said the following of Dwight:
"He brought himself along. I didn't do anything. That's a decision he made to say, 'I'm going to dominate the game on this end of the floor and there's nothing anybody is going to be able to do about it.' That's a choice he made."
Essentially the Lakers needed that victory last night to make some good ground in the playoff standings. If they'll want to make that final push to making the top eight in the Western Conference, the entire team will need to continue to remain on the same page.
