Lakers take on the Nets

Here comes Kobe

By FRED KERBER
KOBE BRYANT KOBE BRYANT

March 17, 2006 — An ailing Jason Kidd didn’t even bother showing up for yesterday’s light workout. A sickly Vince Carter did and wished he didn’t.

The cold and congestion bug coursing through the Nets’ locker room, where Scott Padgett also fell victim, picked a real swell time to arrive: after all, Kobe Bryant visits tonight.

“You make it difficult, but he’s going to shoot more than anybody else in the league,” explained Richard Jefferson, who’ll be front and center for the Nets in their ever-changing defenses against Bryant when they play the Lakers in the Meadowlands, looking for a fourth straight win. “You try to defend him so he doesn’t go for 50 or more.”

Or you let Kidd, Carter and Padgett breathe on Bryant and hope the bug settles on him, too. Bryant is the league’s leading scorer at 34.8 points. He’s hit 40 or more 19 times, including 46 in the Nets’ 102-96 overtime victory in L.A. Nov. 27. Bryant’s season also includes games of 50, 51, 62 and, of course, the 81-pointer against Toronto.

So maybe everyone should sneeze on him. While Bryant is trouble enough, the Nets have other problems. Jeff McInnis’ rehabbing knee is still achy and led to another trip to the doctor yesterday. Carter seemed to be down with more than just a cold: “Vince doesn’t look too good,” coach Lawrence Frank offered.

Nice time to see Kobe.

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