Kobe... Again and Again

Wow... thats all you can say. Ok, scratch that. YES!!! is another word that comes to mind. Assassin, Kobra, Heart-taker... whatever you want to say, it will fit. In a game that truly exemplified the new team spirit that has swept the Lakers while also highlighting the killer instinct of the best player in the league. Kobe Bryant hit the game winning shot, in overtime, to give the Lakers a 99-98, come-from-behind game 4 victory and a huge 3-1 lead in the series.

It started in regulation with a timely shot by Smush Parker to bring the Lakers within two with time running out. Still needing , Parker made the huge defensive play of the game with the steal on MVP (HA!) Steve Nash, a tip to Devan George who then passed to Kobe who took an impossible floating shot over Boris Diaw.

So now the Lakers have a commanding lead in this series. LAist is trying HARD not to look forward to the next round and a potential PLAYOFF SERIES WITH THE CLIPPERS!

Let that sink in for a minute...

Ok... its hard for us to fathom too. But we are on the verge of some LA basketball history. On to Phoenix Tuesday.

Photos by AP Ric Francis and Chris Carlson