Updated: January 27, 2013, 8:31 am ET

D’Antoni Rejects Notion of Kobe Sacrificing

By HOOPSWORLD
Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Even though (Kobe) Bryant ended up scoring less than half of his 28.9 points per game average, good for third best in the league, Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said it shouldn’t be looked at like a “sacrifice” by the All-Star guard.

“If you win, is it really a sacrifice or is it, ‘Yeah, you played the right way?’ ” D’Antoni said after practice Saturday. “I don’t know if it was a sacrifice, is all, but (Bryant) set the tone. There’s no doubt about it. He played like Oscar Robertson played back in the day — 14 assists, nine rebounds, and he got easy shots all over the place. Some nights it’s 14 points, some nights it’s 30 points, but he’ll read the defense.”

via Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles

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