Bryant

The Lakers said the right ankle Kobe Bryant tweaked during Tuesday night's game was not a problem and that he would play tonight.

Bryant, infuriated at the report and feeling as if he had been misled about the Lakers apparent long-term plan to rebuild, demanded a trade.

Kupchak was sympathetic to Bryant's plight this summer, saying the Laker star's sole motivation was to put himself in a position to win.

Bryant and Jackson believe Odom is fundamentally more comfortable not trying to be Bryant's main co-star.

Joe Bryant, one-time head coach of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, said he intends to turn in his application Friday.

In the second quarter, Bryant was upset at Gasol, yelling at him on the bench for not catching a pass from Fisher that led to a turnover.

Indeed, with Bryant willingly sharing the ball but still taking over when he had to, the Lakers became one of the league's surprise teams.

A night earlier, Bryant said one of Gasol's problems was that he feels uncomfortable just catching and shooting the ball.

In fact, Kobe Bryant spoke with him a few years ago about the favorable geography of that Bulls team.

Lakers fans who never stopped cheering while Bryant faced charges in Colorado booed him on opening night, surprising no one more than Kobe.

Now that Gasol is out with a sprained ankle and not expected to play Tuesday, Bryant said he'll have to carry even more of the offense.

"It has been a privilege to work with so many young Chinese athletes, and young people around the globe, " Bryant said in a statement.

Kobe Bryant, who came out of the training room to be interviewed, hugged Winter.

Bryant wore his Lakers varsity jacket, purple gold. It had several championship trophies across the back.

But Kobe Bryant, unlike that other much-maligned superstar Alex Rodriguez, doesn't care what you think of him.

It may be wrong but it's what Bryant does when he cares, as he seems to, once more.

Slowly, surely, Bryant must be coming to terms with the truth that there's no championship salvation to be found in a trade.

But if the Lakers need an offensive outburst from him or need him to become a defensive stopper, Bryant says he is up to the task.

As another NBA season is now behind us and Kobe Bryant has picked up his fifth title, his place in history is up for debate.

There may be more fans who dislike Kobe Bryant, and for that matter, LeBron James might be running away with the category.

Bryant did not talk to reporters after the game, but others talked about him, and about Odom, the unquestioned star of the game.

While trying to change his mentality from that of role player to dependable scorer, Ariza leaned strongly on Bryant for guidance.

Bryant said the team would be "drastically different" without Jackson's steady, cerebral presence on the sideline.

Kobe Bryant's bad back might have cost the Lakers Game 4 Sunday, but in the end, it might be the thing that pushes them to a title.

Looking back, Bryant never tried to turn his jersey change into some magnanimous gesture. He switched numbers, and that was that.

When things quieted down in training camp, Buss stirred them up again by saying he would listen to trade offers for Bryant.

If Jackson had to be here, nothing was going to stop him from pairing O'Neal and Bryant, who won him three titles, amid misunderstandings.

After Bryant got past defenders, Celtics were allowed to bump and grab Kobe on his way to the basket.

It's easy to chalk Bryant up as a casualty of hype, because he does have flaws in his game that are easily exposed under scrutiny.

Bryant is often portrayed as petulant , selfish, and at times overbearing in newspaper coverage and magazine profiles.

Two weeks ago, Buss released a statement in which he said the team would build around Bryant.

If the Lakers can do that, it could be very interesting come spring, and perhaps the most surprising ending to all that Bryant trade talk.

Bryant might have missed 17 of his 28 shots, but it was the force in which he started the game for the Lakers that set the tone.

Notice that off the court, Bryant rarely, if ever, displays the type of cockiness and arrogance he is accused of by his critics.

Jackson would return after taking a season off and seems to have had an excellent relationship with Bryant since.

Bryant and Paul have been able to try to destabilize him, and his performance will be sustained after the shock of the whole Union.

Of course, being Bryant, it would be on to the next crisis, which even he looked like he couldn't get out of this time.

Yao showed no ill effects from his knee-to-knee collision with Bryant on Monday, when he limped off the court before returning.

Bryant said the Lakers' edge and attitude they had while winning the NBA title a year ago is back.

Kobe Bryant scored 23 points for the Lakers, who had not lost the first two games of a post-season series since the 2008 NBA finals.

Kobe Bryant still does not trust his teammates. This was made apparent by his poor choice of shot selection down the stretch.

Bryant scored a Madison Square Garden record 61 points on Feb. 2 then walked off the court as the crowd showered him with an MVP chant.

Maybe Andrew Bynum was on to something when he referred to Kobe Bryant as "Kobe Nash , " a passing reference to Phoenix guard Steve Nash .

Thursday night, Bryant found a megaphone and delivered a final answer even Regis Philbin would not question.

Bryant was a hit with Lakers fans long before he reached this skill level, back when he was just a dazzling rookie.

Bryant doesn't have a strong sense of Brown, sources with knowledge of his thinking said. He hasn't offered a blessing or a condemnation.

It was as if Jackson knew that Bryant and his mates would ravage the Thunder, and the officials would let them.

It was one of many key plays over the final minutes turned in by Gasol, who like Bryant had trouble with his shot through most of the game.

He said he had forgotten he had even done it until Bryant's hot streak opened that dusty page in the Lakers' record book.

Bryant stood and posed after he made the shot, his head cocked to the side, his teammates running over to chest-bump him.

Jackson was correct when he said that Kobe Bryant is no Michael Jordan, that there is no comparison.

"I don't know how I made it through the game to begin with, to be honest with you, " Bryant said.

NBA games were not televised in Europe, so Bryant depended on the boxes from his grandfather to be able to imitate U. S. professionals.

"He asked her to the prom, " Bryant said, smiling. "But she shot him down. She was dating my grandpa. "

He is not too far removed from his two scoring championships, and when he catches fire, only Kobe Bryant is a more potent scorer.

Shaquille O'Neal gets figuratively dunked on if Kobe Bryant gets his own ring. I would love to see that happen.

Bryant left Staples Center as he entered it -- a member of the Lakers for now and for the foreseeable future.

Kobe Bryant: Everyting negative-pressure, challenges-is all an opportunity for me to rise.

Jackson recalled that Bryant got a technical foul against Utah, but it was in speaking up for a teammate.

If one of those teams were to break up its core and bring in Bryant, would those parts add up to a championship?

Bryant said he wanted to be traded and that nothing could change his mind about leaving the Lakers.

Gasol seems to be faring fine on the court this month, but Bryant has looked fatigued at times, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.

Kobe Bryant, needs only himself. Shooting like a magician over players that are six foot six on average, he hits nothing but net.

Bryant wrote on his official website Tuesday that despite his considerable consternation, he had no desire to be traded.

Pat Bryant of Nobleboro, Maine, was one of the first in the state to catch glass eels for export to China.

Bryant's ego was an innate existence that has made him focus on honing his skills and mentality towards building a legacy stamped by rings.

Instead, the Lakers lost in overtime . . . and Bryant was critiqued for all the shots he took in overtime?

The SIFE team at Bryant University saw an opportunity to turn her big heart and love of animals into a sustainable non-profit business.

Holding and bullying Durant, Bryant used his star status and the reluctance of officials to call crunch-time fouls to his advantage.

"It's good to have a couple days and get your body right, " said Kobe Bryant, and he might be understating things.

But in the heat of a classic game that carried enormous stakes, you could understand, and even appreciate, Bryant's raw emotion.

The last Fashion Week to be shown at Bryant Park, designers pulled out all of the tricks under their sleeves to make it unforgettable.

Bryant was dropped by all his partners except Nike -- and it didn't bring out a shoe with his name on it for two years.

Kobe Bryant is one of the most dominate, clutch, all-around, defensive, and experienced players in the game today (if not the best).

Bryant has been a career FT shooter. James has not been truly reliable with his FT in crunch time.

Bryant once said that if he had stayed in Italy, he would have stuck with soccer and would have tried to become a pro soccer player.

For Lakers fans, if not Lakers coaches, it's actually good to see Bryant take 44 shots as he did in Seattle.

Bryant did not take the bait. "What is it with you, you want to emotionally drain me? " Bryant responded with a smile.

And if Bryant's number is one day retired by the Lakers, almost a sure bet, which number would he like to see hanging in Staples Center?

On Wednesday, Bryant arrived at the courthouse in a sport utility vehicle, got out and said nothing as he walked inside.

National Basketball Association's top man, Kobe Bryant, is all about real competition.

In an exhibition game, Clippers rookie Al Thornton was "a little nervous" when he guarded Bryant for the first time on a switch.

It's clear that Bryant's finger is affecting his shot, and his struggles at the end of the regular season stand as a testament to that.

On Tuesday, Bryant started the interview by dryly saying he was in a "very jovial" mood Monday night. Then he said why he was so angry.

The chat included "zero" discussion, according to Bryant, about how the Lakers might be able to bring Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom back.

Kobe Bryant narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips during Monday night's postgame news conference.

Bryant slapped hands with fans seated next to the Lakers' bench when he was subbed out with less than 30 seconds to play.

"What she said about food deserts, that's a really important issue that needs to be addressed, " Bryant said.

It would be a pattern: Bryant bearing down on players he once idolized .

Fourth, there is the straightforward question of talent: As great as Bryant is, can he replace the talent a team would have to give up?

Despite the short-term losses by ending his contract early, Bryant would be able to lock in slightly more money overall - and sooner.

"Sleeping's tough, " Bryant said. "This car ride home is going to be a beast, sitting in traffic. I'll stretch out when I get home. "

He made 12 of 17 shots and joined Bryant as the only two starters to score in the fourth quarter.

"Yeah, you know, we're really big on Pacific Division titles around here, " Bryant said sarcastically.

No one knows whether all that mileage -- all those minutes -- will shorten Bryant's career.

For that matter, since the departure of O'Neal, can anyone name one Laker besides Bryant who made a big shot in a playoff series?

"We just wanted to challenge him, " said Bryant. "Even the shots he made were contested shots. "

As a free agent, Bryant could explore leaving to another team with cap room or even go overseas should he get an out of the ballpark offer.

Certainly Bryant wants to win. But he wants to win his way, according to many who have followed his career.

For as much sense as Russell made to Bryant over the summer in Washington, something else there completely confounded him.

Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are in the final year of their contracts, and Kobe Bryant can opt out of his contract next summer.

Bryant wants to win, but he also wants the most shots. He wants to be a great hero, not a great teammate or leader. He wants the credit.

"It's been a great journey so far, " Bryant said. "We want to keep it rolling. "

However, when Bryant showed up, he was surprised to find that the vixen he'd selected was actually his wife, Vanessa Bryant.

Those who believe in Bryant's greatness are forever ripping the voting process, saying it's a joke that he'll never been named MVP.

"I thought I'd just go on there and check it out, " Kobe Bryant said.

Bryant, of course, said some things of his own and is assuredly sensitive these days.

"A few years ago, we expected to see Vietnamese students every few years, " Bryant said.

We sat down with each of The Second Coming athletes to talk about the game. Today: Kobe Bryant.

Bryant's familiarity working with robots at a Nissan automotive plant gave him the confidence on this project.

Bryant said he learned of the report while at dinner with his teammates Friday night.

His short-term goal is to own an authentic NBA jersey bearing the name of his hero, Kobe Bryant.

He allowed Kobe [Bryant] and I to have our jerseys in people's homes across the world, because he was already there.

I dont like this Head vs. Bryant matchup he will get tortured we need to put Mcgrady on him I know he will be tired but there is no choice.

Even as Bryant was elevating with a 12-point quarter, Pierce continued to drive the crowd.

Pierce also said he Bryant never have exchanged trash talk on the court.

Bryant did not specify the "stuff, " but regardless, it no longer exists.

In Bryant's case he would not make a single dollar more by adding on an extra year.

Bryant Sugarman: Because you know nothing about Doreen and Jenny and Julie and Gina. . . or spider, the family poodle.

But Bryant's penchant for abandoning his man and chasing the ball on defense, could easily provide Miller with plenty of open shots.

While it would not be smart to trade Bryant to a Western Conference rival, it makes the most sense.

"You have to go into a real hostile environment and try to win a game, " Bryant said.

For instance, Bryant demanded the ball in the low post when the New Orleans Hornets put smallish guard Bobby Jackson on him Wednesday.

Bryant swatted the ball into the crowd in frustration, and coach Phil Jackson called a timeout to calm down his agitated club.

One of the Lakers' few concerns is Bryant's dislocated right ring finger, a contributing factor to a minor shooting slump.

then , too , bryant has played the last few weeks with a torn ligament in his right pinkie that needs surgery.

Bryant said he may join informal workouts with Lakers teammates in the future, but that no such sessions have been scheduled yet.

When I grow up to be a good building Fengdu, the Bryant attracted to, if you have to, I always welcome you!

Despite Kobe Bryant, the Lakers missed the playoffs in 2005 and were eliminated in the first round the next two years.

What Bryant says of the bee coins shows the importance of the sort of evidence ancient coins furnish.

Though strong, agile and toting a degree in defense from Georgetown, individually Green was no match for Bryant.

Bryant said he wants to be remembered as someone who enjoys a good time and loves basketball.

Despite his aging body, Kobe Bryant is still one of the game's most dominating and clutch players.

Bryant said he was anticipating a Phoenix double-team on the play, but it never came.

It appeared Bryant wouldn't have been able to rebound after his public image took a beating for several instances.

"We're really having a good time playing with one another. It makes the season that much more enjoyable, " Bryant said.

"Even though we're so far away from the States it felt like we were playing at home, " said Bryant.

The son of famed NBA star, Joe Bryant, Kobe was given a basketball as soon as he was able to stand up.

Louise Bryant: Id like to see you with your pants off, Mr. Reed.

"Maybe if I saw him I would have made some (darn) free throws, " Bryant joked.

In the first quarter, Jackson let Bryant, a starter, stay on the court when he subbed the rest of the first unit out and brought in O'Neal.

The end of every NBA finals reminds us of Boice's addictive 2005 debut, "MVP, " a fictionalized retelling of Kobe Bryant's life.

"When I'm here, wherever I'm at, I'm ready to go, " Bryant said.

He looks creaky on defense, and usually didn't even bother to meet Bryant until he got to the free-throw line.

Kobe Bryant hasn't always been the best person, the best teammate, the best ambassador for the National Basketball Association.

Bryant put a finger over his mouth, to quiet his critics.

Bryant said the Lakers will adjust to whatever the Nuggets do defensively.

I know Tracy isnt Kobe Bryant but he needs to be stronger around the basket and take it to the hole.

Always, it was this: In the post-Shaq era, Bryant had to be playing for a contender.

"Bill is always a Celtic, but I think he's appreciated my thirst for knowledge, " Bryant said.

To his credit, Kobe Bryant is arguably the best player of the last decade.

Bryant is famous for getting his teammates to stay up late practice it with him until it is perfect.

The robotic cell represented two firsts: this was Bryant's first involvement with a packaging project after six years at Cummins.

A Lakers spokesperson said Bryant would not meet the media in front of his locker after the Lakers' victory over Utah, as is customary.

Durant also had an attempt to win the game in regulation, but Bryant forced him into an odd angle for the 20-foot attempt.

It's unlikely Bryant, averaging 33. 3 points in his last four games, is going to let a minor ankle injury keep him out.

"As much as I loved Bryant Park, it was kind of antiquated, " says Lauren Sherman, editor of the fashion blog Fashionista. com.

Bryant, who hit one of his first seven shots, also hit only one of his last seven in the loss.

If not, teams send quick double-team traps to get the ball out of Bryant's hands.

But we believe that all of the ependymal cells are stem cells, and that they all have the ability to be activated.

The Lakers will rest and practice over the next four days and take their cue from Fisher and Bryant on how to be prepared.

Kobe Bryant wasn't the only game-day arrival captured by TV cameras near the Staples Center loading dock.

Even with his injured pinkie , Bryant is still as ruthless as ever as his lock-down defense and clutch shooting at the Olympics displayed.

Things Russell told him years ago made more sense as Bryant grew up, grew older and saw leadership and winning through more advanced prisms.

Kobe Bryant said he has told Bynum that the most important thing is for him to take his time.

Bryant will be in the future to introduce more exclusive basketball shoes, mbt shoes Coach bags, Jordan shoes, there has been a competitor.

At the time, Bryant was the league's most popular and marketable player, earning more money in endorsements than anybody else.

Kobe Bryant lost the spotlight for a while when Lebron James came in to the league.

I believe that Bryant, and believe me, we were able to realize their dreams.

Likewise, for Bryant, skipping out on the season or even training camp wasn't a viable option.

And in reality, Bryant is usually playing small forward anyway in the triangle offense.

Along the same vein, suppose I wish to gain an accurate understanding of Kobe Bryant's basketball ability.

Last week Bryant said in a radio interview on XTRA that it was his intuition that Malone would retire.

Brown's jumping ability is so highly praised by Kobe Bryant, who even said: "On the court, Shannon jumps even higher than Jordan and me. "

Bryant, who has an arthritic finger and a gimpy ankle among several minor injuries, left practice early to stay rested.

"That's what I get a lot now, " Bryant said. 'Beat the Heat. '

With the Rockets' defense keying on Bryant, Pau Gasol, Odom and perhaps even Bynum, Ariza may find himself open in this series as well.

since their split, O'Neal has won one more, with the Heat, and Bryant now has his fourth and fifth as a Laker.

You know what didn't come up to either Bryant or Jackson?

And, like MJ, Bryant is all about winning.

That same relaxed attitude is why Bryant said he has long resisted offers to become an NBA assistant.

I love it, "Bryant said. " Our house is like the Kool-Aid house. The kids come and hang out. Then they send us the dentist bill.

The Answer is going to match up against none other than Kobe Bryant comes Sunday. Apparently, he's not rattled by that thought either.

Bryant was able to beat their chests Radmanovic's qualified to lead the replacement seats to be seen.

he had outscored the entire Mavericks team, 62-61, entering the final quarter, in which Bryant did not play.

Two-and-a-half years later, I am still convinced Bryant is the best of the best, but the margin is narrowing.

"What Kobe has is both a blessing and a curse, " said Brian Shaw, the Lakers assistant who has closely watched Bryant throughout his career.

In past seasons, Kobe Bryant had a bad habit of picking up technical fouls for arguing with the referees too much.

Kobe Bryant is a legend, a man of many gifts and skills.

Besides, this series won't be decided by the NBA proving it has a separate set of rules for Kobe Bryant.

With Martin's attention devoted to Bryant, Camby would run out on double-teams.

The Bench Mob started the run, and Kobe Bryant followed with points of his own.

"You know me, " said Bryant, "I'll try anything. "

Bryant figured Ariza was in need of a little brotherly advice, so he sent him an encouraging text message.

Even after Bryant found his shot in the second half, the two continued to trade words.

If Bryant regretted having popped off, he never showed it.

The most impressive thing about two of Bryant's blocked shots was that they were on 7-6 Houston center Yao Ming.

Sun protected the ball well and kept Bryant from disrupting China's offense too much.

He's one of my favorite players in the league, " Bryant said, adding he's not one to throw praise around lightly. "

The Nuggets drew within five points three times before a three-point play by Bryant made it 101-93, and that was only the beginning.

Bryant says she sells green building practices as being part of being a steward to the land, which is, in many ways, a Southern value.

Millions of Chinese boys and teenagers own a Kobe Bryant jersey and fresh pair of Air Jordan's.

When Bryant won his first MVP award last month, his coach said he didn't know anybody who deserved it more.

The way Bryant is playing, you could take the best players from both Eastern finalists , and the Lakers still would win.

O'Neal, now with the Phoenix Suns, was glad to see the Bryant win another title.

Kupchak also managed to make future negotiations with Bryant, who can opt out of his contract after the 2008-09 season, a lot more cordial.

Kobe Bryant checks into a hotel before home games for his pregame nap.

Bryant's help continues to be inconsistent at times, and he retains most of the Lakers points.

Bryant just re-signed with Nike. A year ago he got a Sony Playstation deal James had been in the running for.

As far as another team enticing Bryant, they would need enough cap space to give him an offer large enough to compete with the Lakers .

Most significant is an elbow Bryant threw that caught Artest in the throat as they were jockeying for position under the basket.

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are equally great team leaders. No one is better than anyone in that department.

He was on the air Wednesday speaking awkwardly about exchanging text messages with Bryant. No phone call, though.

Bryant's agent did not respond to repeated inquiries.

Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy laughed when he was asked if he has seen any flaws or erosion in Bryant's magnificence .

"It was a great challenge, " Bryant, the NBA's Most Valuable Player, told reporters.

"I see you, " Bryant said to Nowitzki in both admiration and warning after Nowtizki hit a jumper in overtime. "I ain't done with you yet. "

On Thursday morning, Eastern time, Chinese outlets started reporting that Kobe Bryant had signed a deal with the Shanxi Zhongyu of the CBA.

Some people I socialise with may think of me as @MartinSFP rather than as 'Martin Bryant' but so what?

Houston's Shane Battier got into a minor shoving match with Bryant while chasing a loose ball.

Everyone would like to see the best players in the best play the market, like Bryant - Bryant in Los Angeles on the same play.

Meanwhile, Bryant liked the energy and natural playmaking abilities that Williams brought to the court over the summer.

4th - Kobe Bryant did not play the entire fourth quarter and the Lakers' still extended their lead and closed out the game.

Coming back after getting knocked down and in pain to beat Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Lakers on their home court.

Bryant's trade value isn't nearly as high as he or the Lakers would like to think.

They're here for the first day of adidas ABCD Camp, we're here to see Kobe Bryant.

Few people have seen a Bryant like this--extremely indifferent and silent.

Bryant was then asked if he would like his deposit back on Michael Jordan's house.

Like his father and his grandfather before him, Colton Bryant has oil as well as horses in his blood.

Of course, not every Korean or Korean American student enrolled in a prestigious design school is destined for New York's Bryant Park.

For rookies or veterans, guarding Bryant can become a humiliating undressing in a sport that feeds off boasting and bravado.

Bryant understands that, but points out the fallacy of the argument, saying the Lakers - the defending champs - are still the team to beat.

"We've got to take care of business, " Bryant said. "We've got to come with focus. "

But nothing bothered Kobe Bryant as much as the dislocated finger he sustained in Monday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With essentially a cap on what he can earn, the sooner Bryant can lock in guaranteed money the better (for his own financial security).

Bryant who was once the clear cut poster boy for the post Jordan era of the NBA, is now the most polarizing figure in all of sports.

An example: Late in the game, one of the two defenders on Bryant backed away to switch back to another Laker.

But the main story line was Bryant. Was there really any other way?

With a summer of healing and rest, Bryant will be completely healthy for next season, and hopefully stay that way until his retirement.

Once Bryant landed in a private jet at a Chinese airport, where a large crowd was waiting, but was told to stay on the plane.

Also, these guys are capable of playing top-notch defense but do so only periodically: Kobe Bryant, Baron Davis and Chris Paul.

They probably needed to split up, for their sanity and for Bryant to test the boundaries of the game.

Bryant expects Kobe to attend some Sparks home games, as he did last season.

Bryant and Jackson know better than to get overly excited by this step.

All it takes is a jab step or a wriggle of the shoulders and his defender backs off enough for Bryant to fire up a jump shot.

Maybe Bryant thinks resuming his occupation will be good therapy, but I wonder what will happen before, during and after games.

When Bryant demanded to be traded last summer, Jackson served as an ally of sorts.

Out of the 60 plus samples that Bryant tested for Food Safety News, the absolute most flavorful said "blackberry" on the label.

Bryant turned 30 last month -- a day after helping the U. S. win a gold medal over Gasol and Spain at the Beijing Olympics.

Can the mature, teamwork-oriented Kobe resist the temptation to shove Pierce back to Bryant's perception of a hierarchal reality?