"Kobe Bryant claimed to be almost 100%. Then he went out and scored 28 points.

Tough to argue with him.

His lift will never be quite what it was, but the arthritic joint isn't hurting in his formerly ailing right knee, providing a boost to his game and his team when the Lakers needed it.

They survived Andrew Bynum's four-game suspension and emerged with a 2-2 record after a 99-82 victory Thursday over the defenseless New York Knicks at Staples Center."