BRYANT NOT MVP BUT IS MOST SPECTACULAR.

Byline: Fred Mitchell Chicago Tribune 

Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan crossed paths Sunday.

Bryant, the 19-year-old Lakers phenom who began the day appearing on ``Meet the Press,'' ended it meeting the soon-to-be 35-year-old Jordan chest-to-chest on the floor of Madison Square Garden.

Jordan walked away with the MVP award for scoring 23 points, but it was Bryant who turned in the game's most spectacular play in the 135-114 East victory.

``I was just out there playing, having some fun,'' said Bryant, who led the West with 18 points. ``When I was in the locker room, prior to when we ran out there, I was a little nervous. I was shaky and I had butterflies because I wanted this moment to come. Finally, it was here. Once I went out there, I was comfortable.''

Bryant is the youngest player to appear in an NBA All-Star Game.

``I just wanted to make him relax,'' Seattle guard Gary Payton said. ``I told him I would get him the ball.''

Bryant had 10 first-half points, making 4 of 11 shots; Jordan was 6 of 11 for 13 points at the intermission.

``We were trying to get him off early; we were trying to get (Bryant) the ball and let him get going,'' said Eddie Jones, one of four Lakers All-Stars.

Bryant turned it on in the third period with two three-point shots.

``I was trying to fend him off as much as I could,'' Jordan said. ``He came at me pretty early, which I would, too, if I was him. If I see someone that's sick or whatever, you have got to attack him. He attacked. You know, I like his attitude.''

Bryant relished the challenge.

``That's all about competitive nature. I came down as being aggressive,'' said Bryant. ``He came back at me, being aggressive. That's what it's all about. All I want to do is get a hand up and try to play (Jordan) hard, try different tactics on him and see how he tries to get around me. I can use it for my knowledge in the future. I was like, `Cool, let's get it on.' ''

Bryant, who was held out of the fourth quarter of the blowout loss, wound up hitting on 7 of 16 field-goal tries. He punctuated his performance with a spectacular fade shot over Dikembe Mutombo.

West coach George Karl said he saw no need to deploy Bryant and Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (12 points) in the closing quarter of the 21-point defeat.

``I just think with the score being a blowout . . . I should distribute the time equally to everybody on the team,'' said Karl. ``They earned the right to play. We didn't have a chance to win the game.''

The East outscored the West 68-56 in the second half.

``The East has all the shooters; we can't shoot with them,'' Payton said.

Bryant is a 6-foot-6-inch playmaking scorer with phenomenal athletic skills and an uncanny feel for the game, which came from his father, former NBA player Joe ``Jelly Bean'' Bryant.

Kobe spent much of his childhood in Italy while his father played in that country's professional league. Kobe learned to speak fluent Italian - and developed his game.

``What I liked about him in my short time with him this weekend is he seems to listen,'' Karl said. ``If he keeps that attitude, he will continue to prosper. If Michael does leave, it will be real interesting to see who seizes that throne of importance. The league will produce another one, whoever that will be.

``The league will learn to function without Michael, but I will go on record as saying he should not retire.''

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PHOTO Michael Jordan won his third and possibly last MVP award.

Associated Press