/ STAFF WRITER
NEW ORLEANS – Kobe Bryant’s shadow no longer hovers over the Lakers’ franchise, leaving them with both concern and intrigue on how quickly they will either develop or acquire their next star.
Bryant’s presence no longer haunts opponents, leaving coaches slightly less stressed with their scouting reports and players slightly less worried on how to defend.
But after lamenting out of frustration and admiration how often Bryant dominated at his team’s expense, New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry hardly seemed settled. The Lakers secured a relatively breeze 126-99 victory over the Pelicans on Saturday at Smoothie King Center by relying on something else that could give opponents fits for a while.