NBA: Bryant reaches milestone, Lakers beat Mavs

SOURCE: http://sports.inquirer.net/88509/nba-bryant-reaches-milestone-lakers-beat-mavs

Dallas Mavericks’ O.J. Mayo (32) defends as Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant goes up for a reverse layup score in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Dallas. AP/Tony Gutierrez

DALLAS, Texas – Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 38 points and became the youngest player in NBA history to surpass the 31,000-point mark as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks 103-99 on Sunday.

Five-time NBA champion Bryant, who scored 14 of his points in the final quarter, also had 12 rebounds and seven assists and reached the 31,000 milestone at 34 years, 185 days.

Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain had the old mark at 36 years, 164 days.

“Kobe made some unbelievable big plays coming down the stretch,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said. “All he needs is the ball. Just throw it over to him and that’s how he likes to operate.”

Steve Nash finished with 20 points and Dwight Howard grabbed 13 rebounds and nine points for the Lakers, who have won five straight games in Dallas. Nash is playing with a sore back.

“It’s tough when he has it going like that,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said of Bryant. “I think when we look at it on film, we had a lot of missed opportunities offensively.”

Cooperative Development Authority gains ISO 9001:2008 Certification

By Celest R. Flores
INQUIRER.net

SOURCE: http://sports.inquirer.net/80415/mbenga-asking-for-too-much-says-trillo-san-mig-coffee-only-wants-bowles

In this June 4, 2009, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers center DJ Mbenga (28) of the Democratic Republic of Congo runs down court against the Orlando Magic during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals in Los Angeles. AP

MANILA, Philippines — Former Los Angeles Laker D.J. Mbenga could don an Alaska jersey in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup — but only if he agrees to accept the Aces’ offer.

Coach Luigi Trillo, who remained upbeat despite his squad’s exit in the semifinals against Talk N’ Text Friday night, hopes he could bring the 32-year-old Belgian center here in the Philippines to help Alaska.

The seven-foot center Mbenga was part of the Lakers back-to-back title haul, and Alaska could certainly use his presence inside.

The only problem is, they’re far apart when it comes to Mbenga’s asking price.

“We want D.J. Mbenga, but he’s asking for too much,” said Trillo in an interview following the 78-83 setback. “We already gave him an offer sheet. We hope he could accept it.”