It was a rousing success, although that really wasn't very important.

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points before leaving the game for good late in the third quarter, and Phil Jackson's Los Angeles Lakers rallied from an early 16-point deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors 101-93 tonight at Stan Sheriff Center in the preseason opener for both teams.

Lamar Odom was the only other Los Angeles player in double figures, scoring nine of his 16 points in the final 2:10 as the Lakers pulled away.

Baron Davis had 17 points and seven assists, Jason Richardson scored 14 and Michael Pietrus added 13 for the Warriors.

Jackson, wearing leather sandals and appearing relaxed on the sideline, was coaching in his first game since June 15, 2004, when the Lakers were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals.

Three days later, Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss informed Jackson his services were no longer desired, but Jackson was rehired last June after one of the most miserable seasons in franchise history.

A book Jackson wrote detailing the 2003-04 season was released nearly a year ago, and it didn't reflect well on Bryant. But the two seem to be getting along just fine, with both saying all the right things since training camp began last week.

Jackson downplayed the importance of preseason games leading up to the opener — the first of two games between the Warriors and Lakers in as many days at the University of Hawai'i before the teams return to California.

Regarding Bryant, Jackson said: "I just think he's a very determined player and dedicated to what he's doing. He's doing a lot of letting things develop on their own."

Both teams played rookies and reserves most of the fourth quarter, with Los Angeles leading throughout. Odom was one of the few veterans to play in the late going. The Lakers outscored the Warriors 12-6 to finish the game.

Smush Parker scored seven points during a 15-6 run to start the second half, giving Los Angeles a 70-62 lead. The Warriors then outscored the Lakers 12-6 to draw within two points entering the fourth quarter.

Parker, a surprise starter, made the game's first shot. With Richardson scoring five points and Davis getting four assists, the Warriors scored the next 14 points.

Davis scored five straight points to make it 24-8 before coming out for the first time. The Lakers responded by outscoring the Warriors 20-8 to finish the first quarter and start the second to draw within four points.

Davis brought many in the crowd of 7,307 to their feet midway through the second quarter by dribbling behind his back before bouncing the ball off the backboard to set Richardson up for a dunk. Bryant drew cheers later in the period, driving the baseline before scoring on a reverse dunk.

Bryant scored 11 points during a 16-6 run to finish the second quarter, drawing the Lakers within one point at halftime.