Bryant Finally Gets Some Play

The 21 points in 22 minutes Friday by Kobe Bryant was either the start of a breakthrough or another temporary flash of what could be.

This much, however, is certain now: It was needed.

Riding the pine, instead of the popularity that Laker fans continue to heap on him despite a minimal contribution to the 24-9 start, had gotten to Bryant. He conceded as much after the victory over the Sacramento Kings, even though most around him had acknowledged signs of frustration long ago.

“It wasn’t to that point, like ‘I’ve got to get out there and play and do this and do that,’ ” Bryant said. “Just disappointed I haven’t been able to get out there and play.”

When he got out there Friday, playing the entire fourth quarter even as the Kings kept the game close, the results were impressive in ways other than scoring. He had only one foul, a definite improvement. And he did not commit any turnovers.

“This was by far his best performance, of course,” Coach Del Harris said. “I don’t look at it as a fluke performance. I told everybody he would come up with that kind of performance some time.”

The 21 points by Bryant was the most by a Laker reserve this season.