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He sinks key shots in victory as his fans show support

ATLANTA - In the fifth row across from the Lakers bench, a 5-year-old boy stood during the fourth quarter Monday night with a No. 24 jersey, a matching pair of Nike sneakers and a sign: "Kobe My Parents Named Me After You."

Kobe Robert Grandstaff had the best seat in Philips Arena to watch his namesake drill four jumpers after checking back into the game, then wag his finger and dismiss the Atlanta Hawks in a 90-83 victory.

"I was a Lakers fan my whole life," father Tim Grandstaff said, "and from when they drafted (Kobe Bryant) I liked the fact that he was a kid and nobody thought he could do anything. He proved the world wrong."

What's in a name?

Bryant scored 27 points, made 10 of 18 shots, and delivered the Lakers a victory they had to have on this eight-game trip. Afterward he met the Grandstaffs in the locker room, greeting little Kobe with a "What's up, sir?"

"I've heard of a few," Bryant said when asked about fans naming their kids after him. "I've never seen one quite that old before. Father time, I guess. It's very humbling."

Tandy Grandstaff, the boy's mother, told Bryant, "You made our life."

Bryant also carried the night for the Lakers, who swept the Hawks for

the first time since 1999-2000 and held a team to fewer than 90 points for the first time since Dec. 4.
He returned with 8:10 remaining and the Lakers holding a 68-65 lead, which could have been even smaller had Josh Childress not missed two free throws.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson thought Bryant finished the third quarter with tired legs and rested him to start the fourth. The first time he touched the ball after returning, Bryant hit a 19-footer over Joe Johnson, starting him on a memorable roll.

He connected on two more jumpers, including a 3-pointer from the corner with the 24-second clock expiring. With the crowd on its feet, Bryant then answered a 3-pointer by Johnson with a shot straight out of his highlight films.

With Johnson and Speedy Claxton trying everything to stop him, Bryant buried an 18-footer on the move to put the Lakers ahead 77-71 with 5:07 remaining. He wagged his finger all the way downcourt and to the bench as the Hawks called timeout.

"It's swagger," Bryant said. "That comes from the playground. That's playing at the park, having fun. People watching the game ... they're part of it, so you want to bring them along with the ride as well and have a good time with them."

He finished the fourth quarter with 11 points and made the biggest pass of the game as well. Bryant rose for a jumper over two defenders but fired the ball at the last second to Smush Parker in the corner.

"I've learned while playing with Kobe to expect the unexpected," Smush Parker said.

Not only had he missed all six shots he had taken, Smush Parker had been involved in an ugly incident with a minute left in the second quarter. After he was called for a charging foul, Parker had to be restrained by Bryant from going after referee Eric Lewis.

"It's an emotional game for me, I guess," Smush Parker said. "I let a lot of things build up and that just put me over the top. I felt it was a bad call and I wasn't able to control myself."

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