No surprise, but Lakers rookie Anthony Brown can’t stop Kevin Durant

Los Angeles coach Byron Scott said the Lakers looked “scared” and “intimidated” against Oklahoma City.

Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers talked about the Olympics, the All-Star Game and picked his top 5 players he’s ever faced on a conference call.

He dunked Thursday for the first time this season, an impressive slam in which he moved past Houston forward Trevor Ariza and beat power forward Clint Capela.

Bryant has averaged only 16.7 points on 33.9 percent shooting, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 30.8 minutes per game.

Kobe Bryant did not play for Los Angeles because of a sore right shoulder, and the Lakers started seldom-used rookie Anthony Brown in his place.

“I’d say the Chicago Bulls”, he rounded up the list after taking some time to decide the fifth and final opponent, “obviously, when I first came into the league, they (with Michael Jordan) were tough”.

Last season, he played 35 games but increasingly suffered soreness in his knees, feet and back, yet he feels that overall he has enjoyed “a really good relationship” with the basketball gods.

“It’s just some soreness”, Scott said. “No matter who it is – I try not to worry about it and just play my game”.

In the days after Bryant’s retirement announcement three weeks ago, ticket resales to see the Lakers spiked 85 percent, with an nearly equal increase for home and away games, according to Ticketmaster.

It’s no coincidence that the Lakers’ recent struggles began when Bryant’s body began to deteriorate.

Bryant said talent is one thing, but Simmons’ drive and passion for the game will define if he is a success in the National Basketball Association or not.

“I’m sure it didn’t help”, he said, adding that his shoulder bothered him before the play. Before the game, coach Bryant Scott said he didn’t want Brown to ask KD for his autograph. However, like Reggie Miller said in last night’s broadcast, the rumors surrounding Howard this season will only become a distraction to the team moving forward.

With the games becoming unwatchable, Lakers fans have played a new parlor game.

Russell Westbrook scored 13 points and handed out 11 assists and center Enes Kanter added 19 points and 14 rebounds in 23 minutes on the floor as Oklahoma City overwhelmed a Lakers team on pace for an even worse finish than their 21-61 record of last season. “I’ve just got to get ahead of it, just rest it and come back”. Russell then scored only two points coming off the bench Thursday against Houston.