Bryant, Lakers vow better offense News Utah Jazz

Kobe Bryant sat behind the table on the raised platform in the post-game press conference room late Thursday night in the bowels of EnergySolutions Arena. Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers had just lost by a single bucket to the Utah Jazz , and an awkward silence filled the room for several seconds ? although it seemed much longer. Finally, Bryant spoke into the microphone to break the suspense.

quot;I know I played bad, but no questions?quot; he asked the assembled media as a slight smile appeared on his previously serious face. Actually, Los Angeles' 88-86 loss in Game 3 brings up plenty of questions. For instance: Can the Jazz even the best-of-seven series tonight? Is it possible for Bryant to have a worse shooting game? And is it a good sign for the top-seeded Lakers that they can come within two points on the road against the Jazz despite the fact that their best player suffered through a 5-for-24 shooting night? One thing the Lakers seemed sure about following practice at ESA on Friday afternoon is that Bryant will be much better tonight and the rest of the way in this series. quot;I don't think that's going to happen again,quot; said Lakers forward Trevor Ariza when asked about Bryant's poor shooting performance on Thursday. Bryant has a simple, obvious plan for what he's going to do differently tonight. quot;Shoot better,quot; he said. quot;It's my responsibility to put the ball into the hole.quot; Had Bryant put the ball into the hole just one more time ? he missed badly on a contested 3-point attempt that would have been the game-winner at the final buzzer ? the Lakers would have held an almost-insurmountable 3-0 lead. Saturday night's game could have finished off a sweep. Instead, the Jazz, for the second year in a row, can tie a playoff series at 2-2 against the Lakers. It would force the Western Conference's overwhelming favorites into at least six games in the first round, while it looks like the Eastern Conference favorite Cleveland Cavaliers are cruising. Bryant gave the eighth-seeded Jazz ? and his two Olympic teammates, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer ? a great deal of credit for Thursday's victory. When asked if the Lakers had let the Jazz back into the series, Bryant said the Lakers didn't quot;letquot; the Jazz do anything. quot;(The Jazz) let themselves back into the series,quot; said Bryant. quot;They played hard; they played the right way. They executed and were shooting well.quot; Jazz center Mehmet Okur, who has missed all three games of the series with a hamstring strain, may play tonight, which could give Utah another big boost of confidence and momentum. Still, Lakers coach Phil Jackson didn't sound particularly concerned that Utah's second-leading scorer during the regular season may return to the court. quot;I think it will be good for us (if Okur plays),quot; said Jackson. quot;I think that's what we need. We need to have a lineup out there that challenges us and makes us play the way we should play.quot; Bryant and the rest of the Lakers feel like they should play better tonight. The question now is if the Jazz are up to the challenge. E?-mail: lojo@desnews.com