— It was like old times, Lawrence Tanter introducing Kobe Bryant before a game as Lakers fans cheered and cheered.
Bryant was back, albeit briefly, even though it was only an exhibition opener against the Utah Jazz.
The score was ugly and almost irrelevant — 90-71, Utah — as the Lakers debuted their hodgepodge of players old and young at the University of Hawaii.
Much of the night was about Bryant, of course. He hadn't been in a game since a routine dunk caused a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder on a telling January night in New Orleans.