NBA star Kobe Bryant is Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers nipped the Portland Trail Blazers, 104-102, at the Staples Center on Monday night to win their second straight preseason game without aging superstar Kobe Bryant. With the win, rumors abound that the Lakers may be "better off" without the five-time champion who had been on a decline after three consecutive injury-riddled years.
Yahoo Sports noted that the "NBA's third all-time leading scorer missed his second straight game because of a bruised left leg" he suffered during their preseason meeting with the Sacramento Kings on October 13.
Third-year forward Ryan Kelly made the game-winning dunk, giving the Lakers their second win in as many outings this preseason.
The Lakers were led by no less than the young backcourt tandem of last year's NBA All-Rookie First Team player Jordan Clarkson and 2015 second overall pick D'Angelo Russell, who had 17 and 12 points respectively in just limited minutes.
Veteran Brazilian point guard Marcelo Huertas also played superbly with 8 points and 8 assists in a little more than 18 minutes, showing that the Lakers has ample bench support at the no. 1 spot.
Los Angeles defeated reigning NBA champs Golden State Warriors, 85-70, in their previous game also in the absence of Bryant, which led to many speculations and suggestions that the Hollywood team may actually be more potent without their designated team leader.
CBS Sports' Matt Moore said that "the Lakers are trying to balance long-term objectives around Bryant", which means while Mitch Kupchak would want to go on the rebuilding plan, the management seems to be also compelled to keep the 17-time All-Star happy.
However, Bryant's production and efficiency have noticeably gone down because of his age and string of season-ending injuries in the past three years, which may be an issue once the regular season starts and he would still be their main offensive option.
Aside from Clarkson and Russell, last season's seventh overall pick Julius Randle has also shown a lot of promise during the offseason. The 20-year-old had so far displayed his scoring prowess, averaging 13.0 ppg in the preseason, and his ability to defend and run on the break.
