Lakers' Bryant finally handed MVP award

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player on Tuesday, the first time the prolific backcourt ace has received the honor after 12 seasons in the league.

Bryant averaged 28.3 points, 5.4 assists and 6.3 rebounds a game this season for the Lakers, whose 57-25 record was the best in the Western Conference.

The 1.98 m Bryant, named four times to the all-NBA First Team, helped the Lakers win three successive NBA titles from 2000.

"This is a beautiful day, a special day for me," a beaming Bryant, 29, told a news conference after being presented with the trophy. "I'm just deeply, deeply honored to be here.

"This is a team award. This is not an individual award," he added with a nod toward his teammates, who attended the news conference.

"This gets done because we all do it as a unit and I can't thank these guys enough."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who steered Bryant through his NBA title partnership with former Laker Shaquille O'Neal and who directed the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships, praised Bryant for his dedication.

"I don't know anybody who deserves it more," Jackson said. "I've never known anybody who has worked as hard to accomplish what he's accomplished in this game."

Tumultuous year

The award crowned a tumultuous year for Bryant, who last May publicly demanded a trade before reconsidering following two frustrating seasons in which he led the NBA in scoring in teams which exited early from the playoffs.

"It's been one hell of a year," Bryant said.

"To watch the development of our younger players and watch us step into that elite level, and ultimately winning the Western Conference, it's been an emotional roller coaster. It's been a heck of a journey.

"I'm fortunate to be on this journey with guys I enjoy. We all get along. We have this great chemistry and unity."

The irresistible combination of Bryant and O'Neal produced three titles in a row but there was tension between the pair and the latter was traded to the Miami Heat.

Bryant believes the Lakers are finally back on track.

"We have to give a lot of credit to (general manager) Mitch Kupchak," he said. "He put together this great team. He made an incredible trade, several incredible trades," Bryant said, referring to the acquisition of Spanish center Pau Gasol.

Bryant said he hoped winning the MVP award would lead to a grand finale for the Lakers.

"It's Hollywood, it's a movie script and the perfect ending would be us holding that championship trophy at the end of it," Bryant said. "That would be the perfect ending."

Agencies

(China Daily 05/08/2008 page24)