LOS ANGELES — Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is widely expected to
receive the Most Valuable Player award for the first time after the NBA
scheduled a news conference for Tuesday at a Los Angeles hotel.
Reports two days ago said Bryant would receive the trophy
from NBA Commissioner David Stern, citing anonymous sources familiar with the
result of the media vote.
Although NBA spokesman Mark Broussard was not prepared to
disclose details, he said the news conference would feature an award
announcement and a presentation.
Asked what the award would mean to him, Bryant told
reporters on Saturday: "It’s a great honor. I’m very thankful for it.
"I didn’t know if it was going to come or it was going to
happen in my career. But to have that moment come now is special, especially to
share it with the group of guys we have here, it’s nice.
"We talked about (how) winning this MVP is extremely special
because that means I’m doing good. I’m making my teammates better, putting them
in a position to win."
The prestigious award, selected by NBA writers and
broadcasters, would mark Bryant’s first MVP trophy after 12 seasons.
Long regarded as one of the league’s top players, the All
Star guard led the Lakers to the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference,
averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.84 steals during the
regular season.
He went on to average 33.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3
assists in leading the Lakers to a first-round sweep of the Denver Nuggets and
topscored with 38 points in Sunday’s 109-98 win over the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of
the conference semifinals.
Bryant, who helped the Lakers win three consecutive championships between
2000 and 2002, has relished playing this season in a stronger team, which is
pushing for its first NBA finals appearance in four years.
