Player of the game: Kobe Bryant used to wonder what it would be like to be the focal point of his team's offense. Last night at KeyArena, Bryant offered a taste: 30 points on 10-for-19 shooting in only 34 minutes.

Top reserve: Sonics fans were pleased when Stanislav Medvedenko came off the bench to replace O'Neal. But the Ukranian second-year player performed well with six points and seven rebounds while playing tough defense.

Key to the game: The Sonics didn't exploit O'Neal's absence. Without the superstar center, the Lakers turned into a perimeter team. Los Angeles moved the ball around well to swish long-range jumpers, including several demoralizing three-pointers.

Dunk of the game: No surprise with Kobe Bryant in the game. On a fast break, Bryant received a pass on the right wing and threw down a vicious one-handed dunk over a helpless Vladimir Radmanovic.

NEXT: Tomorrow at 6 p.m. against Indiana at KeyArena. Over the summer, Howard Schultz surprised several fans not planning to renew their season tickets by making a personal pitch. Schultz organized community forums to collect input from fans, and made visits to KeyArena more fan-friendly with incentives such as allowing kids to shoot on the court after games.

The Sonics even cut some ticket prices for the second straight season.

But Schultz's actions have done little to prevent the Sonics' attendance from being among the worst in the league. Last night against the Lakers, the Sonics sold out for only the first time this season.

"We have a responsibility to demonstrate what a great family environment this is," Schultz said before the game. "I feel very good that over the course of the season, this building will fill up and people will recognize that this basketball is a tremendous asset to the city."

Attendance at KeyArena remains down about 15 percent from last season, when the Sonics averaged 15,583 fans.

John Jeannot, a Seattle entrepreneur and long-time fan, believes he knows why.

"I think how quickly the Sonics went downward after being on top in 1996 shocked everybody," said Jeannot, a season-ticket holder since 1994, when the Sonics played at the Tacoma Dome. "Two years later, we weren't even in the playoffs. Also, ticket prices are very high and Sonics basketball fans are fair-weather fans.

"In the mid '90s, everybody wanted to be at Sonics games because it was popular. Also, I think after Sept. 11, people are watching their money more."

The Sonics are averaging roughly 13,000. And things actually may have been worse if not for Schultz's steps.

Several season-ticket holders who weren't planning on coming back changed their minds after talking to Schultz. But Jeannot feels more has to be done.

"He needs to reintroduce players to Seattle," Jeannot said before the game. "Schultz is trying to do what he can. But it's hard when the team is not successful."

According to the NBA, league-wide attendance is slightly up this season, although the perception is that it is markedly down.

"We have to be patient," Schultz said. "We have to take the long view. And the responsibility is on us to show the community how good this team is."