From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: Jackson says Kobe 'OK' for tonight
And that's all that seemed to matter to the Lakers, who play host to the Jazz tonight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in Game 5 of the 2-2 best-of-seven NBA Western Conference semifinal playoff series.
Bryant, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said today, is "OK."
The NBA's reigning MVP hurt his back early in the Jazz's game 4 overtime win on Sunday, did not practice Monday or Tuesday.
Instead, he rested and received treatment.
Yet he remains on track to play tonight.
That fact was a hot topic, yet again, for the Jazz this morning as well.
"Mine may not be as severe as his," Jazz All-Star Carlos Boozer said of the back spasms he has endured throughout the season, "but I have a high tolerance for pain."
Boozer again vowed the Jazz will not overlook Bryant, no matter what his health status.
"If he's wearing his jersey," Boozer said, "we expect him to be Kobe Bryant. We're not gonna take him lightly. We're not gonna think of him as having an ailment or a back injury. We're gonna think of him as No. 24."
"Test the Lakers," he said. "That's what we've got to test. He's a big part of it, but we don't have anybody that's gonna go out there and play him 1-on-1. We're not qualified for that."
Besides, Sloan added, "We have to save some of our fouls for later on. ... Whoever's guarding him is going to get in foul trouble."
E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com
Recent comments
If the Lakers come out with more energy than the Jazz in the first...
PurplePeopleEater | May 14, 2008 at 8:30 p.m.
Chant over and over: Baby / Kobe / Wimpy / MVP. Oh, and don't...
kanaka818 | May 14, 2008 at 8:16 p.m.
Nice Try Phil...But we remember the last time you tried to trick us...
Kobe Hater | May 14, 2008 at 7:41 p.m.
- RSL coaches deal with expansion 11:01 p.m.
- Day care means TV time, study finds 10:51 p.m.
- Brithdays for Monday, Nov. 23 10:50 p.m.
- 'Origin' to be auctioned 10:49 p.m.
- 7 bulls used for movie break free 10:48 p.m.
- Jackson's doctor goes back to work 10:47 p.m.
- 9/11 defendants want to air views 10:37 p.m.
- SUU sweeps conference honors 10:37 p.m.
- Some Dems. want big changes 10:37 p.m.
- Jackson makes history with 4 AMAs 10:36 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
202 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
185 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
105 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
The Utah basketball team expected to win Saturday night, but not like this.
Real Salt Lake fans have watched first hand the evolution of Jason Kreis...
WAY TO GO RSL!! Nice job keeping it together after you were scored on...
A quater century ago.
Thanks for the info on when the team in coming home. Unfortunately, I will...
The far right legislature controlled by the real estate lobbyists need to...
I followed the match from Northern Ireland. What a great result for RSL....
Go Champs go!!!! for REAL!!!
I disagree with this editorial. The same people who benefit from the reduced...
Denver REAL Fan, congrats on the big win over Galaxy, REAL MLS CHAMPS!!!
I don't even care how many REAL puns the Deseret Morning News publishes in...
Rep. Tom Coburn is exactly right. As an Oklahoma Republican and a medical...


