Kobe Bryant’s Near Triple Double Can’t Save the L.A. Lakers From Themselves

Kobe Bryant was definitely prepared to face the Phoenix Suns in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals, but his near triple double was not enough to offset the Los Angeles Lakers' glaring flaws in other areas of the game.

On most evenings a 36-point, 11-assist, nine-rebound effort from Bryant would be enough to clinch a victory—but the Lakers were facing a desperate Phoenix Suns team who employed the most basic strategies to climb back into the series.

The Suns had success using the pick and roll offense in the first two games of the series, but on Sunday night they were the beneficiaries of a fully engaged Amar'e Stoudemire who dominated the paint.

Stoudemire, who has been the object of relentless criticism for his lackluster play, responded with a ...

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