Bryant Looking To Pass Shaq; Kuester To Coach Lakers

Kobe Bryant is 23 points shy of tying Shaquille O'Neal for fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Bryant has scored 28,573 career points while Shaq has 28, 596 and now the former Lower Merion product can pass his former teammate tonight against the 76ers.

At today's shootaround Bryant said it would be special to pass Shaq in his hometown.

"It has a great deal of significance now more so than when I used to come back here when I was 21 or 22," Bryant said. "I don't know how many more times I will be playing in front of Philadelphia fans at this stage of my career so it means a little more."

Kuester To Coach Lakers Tonight

Los Angeles Lakers assistant John Kuester will be coaching the team tonight as head coach Mike Brown serves a one-game suspension.

Brown was suspended for one game and fined $25,000 for making contact with a game official and failure to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection in Saturday's loss at Utah.

Kuester says nothing will change.

"This is just an extension of what Mike is doing," Kuester said before the game.