LOS ANGELES — Among Kobe Bryant’s myriad talents is what’s known to opposing NBA coaches simply as the “rise-up.” That’s when Bryant has a defensive player blanketing him on the perimeter, obstructing his vision and physically preventing him from driving — yet Kobe simply leaps high enough to release a perfect jumper anyway.
Bryant rose up against Grant Hill in the final minute of the Los Angeles Lakers’ conference-clinching victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, putting his stamp on a 37-point performance that sent the Lakers into the NBA Finals with a chance for revenge against the Boston Celtics.
Bryant is enjoying arguably the most impressive playoff run of his career, and not because his numbers are any larger than in a previous postseason. He has scored 30 points in 10 of the Lakers’ last 11 games — and he has willed a team with an injured center, two more inconsistent starters and little bench help beyond Lamar Odom into its third straight NBA Finals. The Lakers-Celtics series starts Thursday at the Staples Center.
Although he claimed he didn’t care which team the Lakers played in the NBA Finals, Bryant sometimes isn’t exactly forthcoming about his injuries or his passions. It’s difficult to believe Bryant isn’t thrilled by the opportunity to cap another stirring playoff run with a revenge victory over his franchise’s biggest playoff rival, which beat Bryant and the Lakers in the Finals two years ago.
“Last time we played them, it was a great learning experience for us,” Bryant said. “It taught us what it takes to be a champion. With the defensive intensity they play with, the tenacity they play with, we learned a great deal in that series.
“It’s a sexy matchup. We’re looking forward to this challenge, looking forward to the test.”
NBA Finals
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Best-of-seven series; * — if necessary
All games on KMGH-7
Thursday: Boston at L.A. Lakers, 7 p.m.
Sunday: Boston at L.A. Lakers, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 8: L.A. Lakers at Boston, 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 10: L.A. Lakers at Boston, 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 13: L.A. Lakers at Boston, 6 p.m.*
Tuesday, June 15: Boston at L.A. Lakers, 7 p.m.*
Thursday, June 17: Boston at L.A. Lakers, 7 p.m.*
