LOS ANGELES -- As LeBron James walked to the free-throw line with 12.9 seconds left, an approving Kobe Bryant clapped and pumped both of his fists, encouraging his old team and its new superstar to close out their best win of the early season.
Seated at the corner of the baseline, Bryant made a rare appearance at Staples Center, and the former Laker great watched his old rival James collect two milestones: his first triple-double and first home victory as a Laker.
Behind James' 28 points, 11 assists, 11 rebounds and three steals, the Los Angeles Lakers handed the Denver Nuggets their first loss of the season with a 121-114 victory before a jubilant Staples Center crowd.