Kobe Bryant took a step towards winning the NBA's most valuable player award.

In his showdown with New Orleans Hornets All-Star guard Chris Paul, Bryant came up better because the Lakers won.

And for many voters, that will go a long way.

Bryant came up two assists short of a triple-double.

He produced 25 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Paul had 15 points, 17 assists and six rebounds.

Paul was 4-for-13 from the field.

Bryant was 9-for-17 from the field.

``Like I've said, the MVP is not an individual award,'' Bryant said. ``You really have to make your teammates better and elevate your ballclub. And I think for me to be nominated is a tremendous honor. That's one of the criticisms that people had of me was how well did I make my teammates better. From that standpoint, I feel as if I've already won.''

-- Broderick Turner
-- btuner@PE.com

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