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05:49 PM ET 01.15 | Much has been made of the Los Angeles Lakers' defense this season. Almost all of it has been negative. But if there was anything good to take from coach Mike D'Antoni's defense of late, it's been the play of Kobe Bryant, who D'Antoni has used as his disruptor. Part of it could be point guard Steve Nash's deficiencies on the defensive end, but on Sunday, Bryant stymied Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving, holding the second-year pro to 15 points, which is eight below his season average. "Kobe starting on Kyrie and some of the other matchups they had, they came out much more aggressive," Cleveland head coach Byron Scott told the Los Angeles Times. "They didn't just sit back. They were the initiator, and I thought that was the biggest difference."

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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January 15, 2013 06:14 PM ET

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Kobe only earns $25 mil a year... Are we asking too much of him to play on both sides of the ball??? sure he scores 30 points a night... but are we winning??

Dogue-dude

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January 15, 2013 06:37 PM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 06:32 PM ET 01.15 by Just another DJ

Kobe can't play defense? Lol. Russ didn't mention Irving lighting up the Lakers in this game. I wonder why? Lol.

the Lakers got a split- each won at home, against the Cavs!

Irving TORCHED them for 28 points, 11 assists and 6 boards in Cleveland- Cleveland is playing for a draft pick this year

while LA was heralded as title favorites by Lakers fans preseason- now the LAkeres would be LUCKY if they even make the playoffs

16-21

TWeb86

River Grove , IL

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January 15, 2013 06:54 PM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 06:34 PM ET 01.15 by Just another DJ

Gasol is making a career low 40%.Kobe is making a career high 48%.

16/21 is still 16 WINS - 21LOSSES no matter how high of % he shoots...

Kobes 3 lowest point totals in games this year...

11/04/12 vs Detroit... 15 points on only 10 FG attempts.... = Laker blowout 108 - 79
11/24/12 vs Dallas... 19 points on only 11 FG attempts... = Laker blowout 115 - 89
11/30/12 vs Denver.. 14 points on only 15 FG attempts... = Laker blowout 122 - 103

anybody see a pattern here??? arguably the Lakers best games of the season were all with Kobe distibuting the ball more than scoring it... why is this guy so hard headed that he cant figure this sheet out??

Dogue-dude

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January 15, 2013 06:54 PM ET

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16-21

TWeb86

River Grove , IL

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Comment #12 has been removed

January 15, 2013 06:59 PM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 06:57 PM ET 01.15 by MMAFan

You need to quit worrying about the Lakers and focus on your own team the Clippers.Get a job.Get a girl.Get money.Get on Dee's level!

OK homer.........

Dogue-dude

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January 15, 2013 07:05 PM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 07:02 PM ET 01.15 by Just another DJ

9-31. I can do that to. On track for 18 wins and they have an elite player who doesn't make others better.

elite players who dont make others around them better??? boy who does that sound like? lol