If it seems like forever since the Lakers last played, they feel that way too.
Their team dinner party at an Italian eatery on Melrose Avenue erupted in joy Friday night after Kobe Bryant was e-mailed a story that he had won the NBA most valuable player award, leading to a degree of jubilation that seemed to follow the team to practice Saturday.
After six days without a game, the Lakers are eager to go up against someone other than themselves. They'll play Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals today against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center . . . finally.
Bryant could hardly contain a smile after Saturday's practice, perhaps because this will be his first MVP award or possibly because the Lakers were actually close to restarting their playoff drive.
A day after buying his teammates dinner for the second time in as many weeks, a repetitive occasion that could start getting costly, Bryant said he was honored and enthralled to be MVP.
"I didn't know if it was going to come in my career, but to have the moment come now is special, especially to share it with the group of guys we have here," he said. "We talked about [how] winning this MVP is extremely special because that means I'm doing good. I'm making my teammates better, putting them in a position to win."
Bryant hasn't been given official notice because the league waits to inform a player and his team until a day or two before the award is presented, which probably will be Wednesday before Game 2 at Staples Center. On that note, Bryant said he was reserving more detailed comment until "I hear from David Stern."
Until then, the Lakers can think about that other event -- an actual game.
They haven't played since finishing a four-game sweep Monday in Denver. Utah, on the other hand, was still going until Friday night's Game 6 clincher over Houston.
"Usually by mid-game, you're OK," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said in reference to a long layoff. "A couple runs out there, and guys are back in form."
The Lakers went 3-1 against Utah this season, and they never played the Jazz with Pau Gasol in the lineup. The Lakers thumped Utah in the most recent meeting, 106-95, in March at Salt Lake City, despite playing without Gasol and Andrew Bynum, who were both sidelined by injuries.
Gasol probably will guard brawny Utah forward Carlos Boozer, and Lamar Odom is expected to match up against Jazz center Mehmet Okur, primarily a perimeter player.
