Lakers kick-off post-Brown era in style

The Los Angeles Lakers responded to the axing of coach Mike Brown by belting the Golden State Warriors 101-77 at the Staples Center on Friday for their second win of the season. After a close first quarter, the Lakers went on a tear with Kobe Bryant scoring 27 points, much to the delight of the home crowd. Having fired Brown earlier in the day after starting the season 1-4 and losing all eight pre-season exhibition games, the Lakers showed new vigour and style under interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff. But the home fans made no secret of who they wanted to fill the vacant position, chanting “We want Phil” throughout the night in reference to former coach Phil Jackson, who helped the Lakers to five of their 16 championships. Pau Gasol stepped up for the home side in support of Bryant’s scoring efforts, pulling in 16 rebounds and scoring 14. The Warriors dropped to 3-3 with the loss.