Kobe Bryant give Dirk a little love, but has none for the Cowboys

Kobe Bryant has a profound respect for Dirk Nowitzki –
but only to a point.
 
The Lakers’ superstar had no problem including his
Mavericks counterpart in the MVP conversation after the LA shootaround today,
but he didn’t go overboard.
 
“He’s one of the best players in the league, bar
none,’’ Bryant said, before pausing. “I’m not going to
sit here and just kiss his (butt) for 10 seconds. He’s a great
player.’’
 
So there you go.
 
Bryant was in a fun-loving mood after the Lakers’
practice leading into tonight’s 8 p.m. game at American Airlines Center.
 
He was particularly animated when the subject came to the
NFL labor strife and the possibility of the same thing happening to the NBA in
the summer. As noted Cowboy fan Joe Smith was walking past, Bryant said he
would be crushed if his beloved Philadelphia Eagles didn’t play this
season.
 
“I would, yeah, although in Dallas I don’t know
how much they’d miss it because it’s not like they had one
anyway,’’ he said. “Isn’t that right, Joe? It
wouldn’t be like you guys would miss a football season here. You
didn’t have one anyway.’’
 
Smith shot back that the Eagles weren’t exactly
celebrating a championship, either.
 
“We went to the dance,’’ Bryant said.
“Y’all had people popping champagne in your building. That’s
not a good look.’’
 
Eddie Sefko