Bryant's big game not enough as Lakers blown out by Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers season is not off to the greatest of starts.

One night after dropping an embarrassing season opener to the Houston Rockets - and losing rookie Julius Randle for the season in the process - the Lakers were once again run off the court. This time, the drubbing came courtesy of the Phoenix Suns, who hung a 119-99 final on L.A.

Kobe Bryant sure tried his damndest, and if there's any silver lining to the first two games of the season, it's how spry the 36-year-old has appeared. A night after scoring 19 points somewhat inefficiently, Bryant was at his best Wednesday, scoring 31 points in just 28 minutes, shooting 11-of-25 from the floor.

The rest of the team combined to shoot 26-of-61 (42.6 percent), leaving Bryant to make this face as he checked out of the game for good:

Someone should probably keep Carlos Boozer safely hidden from Bryant after the game. Boozer took aim at a modern level of horrid play, becoming just the 14th player since 1985-86 to turn the ball over eight or more times in 23 minutes or fewer. Funny to an outsider, sure. Can't imagine Bryant feels the same way.

Of course, as was the case Tuesday, offense wasn't necessarily the issue. The Suns are a fast-paced offense that should do damage against even some of the best defenses this year, and they took full advantage of a thin and tired Lakers team on a back-to-back.

Phoenix shot 54.9 percent from the floor and hit 16 threes, earning an additional 12 points on the Lakers from long range thanks to Byron Scott's aversion to smart basketball. Isaiah Thomas poured in 23 points on just 11 field goal attempts in his debut as a Sun, and every starter scored in double-figures. It was thorough, as 118-point-per-100-possession performances tend to be.

It's going to be a long year in Hollywood.