Los Angeles Lakers

Only thing worse than Lakers-Nets: Kobe vs. Joe Johnson

Published Nov. 7, 2015 12:45 a.m. ET

Andre Vergara

Much has been made of the struggles of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers this season. But they're not alone in hoops hell — and there may be someone even worse off than them.

Friday night's Lakers-Nets matchup featured not only two winless teams, but also the NBA's two highest-paid players this season guarding each other. Bryant is making $25 million and Joe Johnson is just behind him at $24.9 million.

Bryant entered the game shooting a career-low 32.3 percent and the Lakers at 0-4. Johnson, meanwhile, entered the game shooting a career-low 28.3 percent and the Nets at 0-5.

Johnson looked like his old self, scoring 22 points on 8-for-16 shooting, while Bryant struggled with 5-for-16 shooting for 18 points. But Bryant and the Lakers pulled out a 105-98 victory for their first win of the season.

That's why they pay him that extra 100 grand.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.