Kobe: “Shaq wasn’t the only one…”

April 14th, 2008, 2:49 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Curtis Zupke, Staff writer

By CURTIS ZUPKE

The Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO - Kobe Bryant has been downplaying the MVP race, preferring to talk in platitudes about team play.

But now that the race appears to be between Bryant and Chris Paul, Bryant has been more open about the topic.

Asked after Monday’s practice if he thought this was his year to win the award, particularly given that his team is No.1 in the Western Conference, Bryant said,

“I’m just appreciative of being in that running. I’ve always said winning MVP now is really about making your teammates better, which has always been a criticism directed toward me. To be in that category, to me, is a great accomplishment.”

Bryant has never won the award. During the Lakers’ championship years in 2000-02, Shaquille O’ Neal took MVP honors in 2000 and was NBA Finals MVP all three times.

Where is that perceived criticism coming from?

“I don’t know,” Bryant said. “Last I checked I won three rings. So it’s kind of tough to be the type of player that doesn’t make his teammates better. Shaq wasn’t the only one doing that. Even though the criticism is there, I don’t think it’s justified. It’s still a challenge. It’s a challenge I accept.”

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