Looking back on Kobe Bryant’s first win over the Clippers

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Going into tonight’s match-up against the Clippers, the Lakers during the Kobe Bryant era have a daunting 38-11 edge over their NBA neighbors.

During this period it’s been Lakers success vs. Clippers struggles. The Lakers have made the playoffs every season but one and won three titles. The Clippers posted one winning season, made the playoffs just twice and have won only a single playoff series.

However, Bryant’s first game -- and win -- over the Clippers 12 years ago this month was a bit humbling.

Bryant, then an 18-year-old rookie, was a bench player, and it was another talent on the Lakers that enjoyed all the buzz -- newly signed free agent Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant’s flashy moves had generated some hype during the preseason, but then-Lakers Coach Del Harris had veterans Byron Scott and Nick Van Exel starting at guard, while Bryant fought for playing time with another rookie, Derek Fisher.

In that November 1996 Lakers-Clippers game at the Forum, Bryant finally entered the contest to start the second quarter. Bryant got hit with a foul after 18 seconds. He picked up another foul just over a minute later. He had four fouls, missed both three-point shots, had one turnover and scored four points during seven minutes of playing time. Harris benched him for the rest of the game, which the Lakers won 107-100.

After the game, Harris noted Bryant’s poor shot selection, turnover and fouls. ‘He still will have to come along at a certain pace ... gradually it may mean more minutes for Kobe,’ Harris said of his rookie.

By the way, the Lakers are favored tonight over the Clippers by 13.5 points, the biggest spread of all 13 NBA games, according to beted.com

-- Barry Stavro