Kobe Will Be MVP

It’s not official yet, but sources tell the Los Angeles Times that Kobe Bryant will be named this year’s MVP in a ceremony next week. The prize, decided by sports reporters and broadcasters, will be a first for Bryant, who was second in scoring this season but boosted his defense with 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

The star said “it's a great honor,” the AP reports. “It's very special to share it with these guys." Last month, Bryant spoke of the possibility: “MVP nowadays is not an individual award. You really have to make your teammates better and elevate your ball club. For me to be nominated in that race is a tremendous honor because that's really been one of the criticisms that people have had of me.” (More Kobe Bryant stories.)