Wade matchup ‘old hat’ for Bryant

February 27th, 2008, 2:57 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Curtis Zupke, Staff writer

By CURTIS ZUPKE

The Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO - Kobe Bryant is three years older has played seven more NBA seasons than Dwyane Wade, and that might explain why he downplays showdowns with his fellow superstar.

“When I first came into the league, I really relished those matchups because I wanted to establish myself,” Bryant said. “I think now, having been in the league 12 years, it’s old hat for me.”

Bryant doesn’t always guard Wade but the two are focal points when the Lakers play Miami. That has been heightened now that Shaquille O’Neal left the Heat, and Bryant and Wade will take center spotlight on national television for the second time in three weeks on Thursday at Staples Center.

Bryant had 33 points to Wade’s 19 in a Lakers victory on Feb.10. Wade has had the better of the two, statistically, in their previous two matchups. He scored 35 points to Bryant’s 25 in January of 2007 and 40 points to Bryant’s 16 in the 2006 Christmas Day game.

Bryant did allow that it is special when the two are on the court.

“It’s always fun,” he said.

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