The Lakers' popularity is chiefly due to Bryant. At 33, the former Lower Merion High star is in his 16th NBA season and keeps producing at the highest of levels, averaging 29.4 points per game.
When asked after Saturday's 98-87 win in Atlanta whether Bryant brings extra electricity to the building, forward Andre Iguodala didn't hesitate.
"I think so," Iguodala said. "He's the best player in the game. Second-best player of all time, in my opinion."
No. 1?
"M.J., of course," Iguodala said, referring to Michael Jordan.
As with most players who have spent more than a decade and half in the league, Bryant has had to make adjustments.
"He has done a great job of getting the most out of his body," said Iguodala, who draws the defensive assignment against Bryant. "He doesn't have that great athletic ability that he used to have, and he's not as explosive as he used to be going to the basket, but he's mastered that mid-range game and he's still so dangerous in the post."
Coming home never gets old to Bryant.
"You start out at 16 years old [and] now here I am at 33 - so I think it's more special now," Bryant told Lakers broadcaster John Ireland after Saturday's game, in comments the team provided to The Inquirer.
Bryant and the Lakers expect the Sixers to present the toughest of challenges.
"Well, they're a tough team, they're obviously playing great basketball, and we're going to have our hands full because they are such a young team, very energetic team, and we are an old, slow team," Bryant told Ireland. "So, you know it's going be a matter of whose style of play is going to dominate on that particular night."
