Bryant, GM Kupchak endorse Buss heirs

Kobe Bryant and general manager Mitch Kupchak endorsed the children of the late Jerry Buss as worthy heirs to running the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant said Tuesday that the six siblings are "following the greatest owner in sports," but he believes that in their own way the Buss offspring will have success.

"It's tough to follow in those shoes," he said before the Lakers' first practice since the All-Star break. "It's important to take the lessons he's taught and try to carry it on to the future."

The elder Buss died Monday at age 80 of kidney failure as a complication of the cancer that he had struggled with for the last 18 months. A memorial service for invited guests only will be held Thursday at Nokia Theatre across from Staples Center.

"We have a great opportunity to carry on his legacy," said Kupchak, who first joined the Lakers as a player in 1981 and became the team's assistant GM under Jerry West after his playing days ended in 1986.

Some of the lessons Bryant said he learned from Buss were "to be patient, not rush decisions. When you believe in something you act despite what public opinion would be. He always stuck to his guns and made sound decisions on what was right for the team."

Raptors 96, Wizards 88: DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay scored 24 points apiece, and Toronto won at Washington.

Suns 102, Trail Blazers 98: Goran Dragic had 16 points and 18 assists to lead Phoenix at Portland.

Bulls 96, Hornets 87: Luol Deng scored 20 points, leading Chicago at New Orleans.

Spurs 108, Kings 102: Tony Parker had 30 points and 11 assists to lead San Antonio at Sacramento.

Grizzlies 105, Pistons 91: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Mike Conley scored 19 points and Memphis beat Detroit.

Nuggets 97, Celtics 90: Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson each scored 26 points to help Denver beat visiting Boston.

Nets 113, Bucks 111, OT: At New York, Joe Johnson hit a buzzer-beating jumper at the end of overtime to lift Brooklyn past Milwaukee.

Bobcats 105, Magic 92: Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson each had 24 points, leading Charlotte at Orlando.

Jazz 115, Warriors 101: At Salt Lake City, Al Jefferson scored 24 points and Utah beat Golden State.