Mike D’Antoni Surprised By Kobe Bryant’s Passing and Playmaking

The Los Angeles Lakers won their third straight game last night, and once again, Kobe “Johnson” Bryant was in pass-first mode (racking up 11 assists and just 12 points.) Afterwards, head coach Mike D’Antoni admitted that he didn’t know Bryant could be such a force with the pass. Per the OC Register: “It was Bryant, who had 11 assists Tuesday night to cap the highest three-game assist output of his career (39 total) to encourage another night of feel-good sharing and winning for the Lakers. The Lakers beat the New Orleans Hornets, 111-106, for their third consecutive victory and to reach 20-25 for the season. They had 34 assists on their 39 field goals compared to New Orleans’ 21 on 39 field goals. ‘We have a bunch of guys now who can hit shots, not one or two,’ Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said. The last time the Lakers won three consecutive games, they were relying on Bryant scoring at least 30 points every game. But Bryant has altered his method of attack after the initial plan for (Steve) Nash to be the one carving up defenses and setting up teammates fizzled — and Bryant’s teammates are responding. ‘I didn’t know Kobe could be so devastating that way,’ D’Antoni said.”